Another fine piece Cheryl. I have now watched every game Murray has played this year, and I actually think that when he raised his game in the second set against Nadal that it was some of the best tennis he has played this year. Nadal is still way out in front, but I get the feeling that the real No 1 and No 2 will be raising their games against each other quite a bit this year. Djokovic was great too, and to be honest I was surprised at that. I felt that his health has been holding him back, but it seems to me that he is not keen on Murray breathing down his neck in the rankings and that is forcing a change in Nole. But Fed is still the mystery. Maybe he needs to completely lose it before he can find his 'mojo' again! But a quick look at the rankings shows that Djokovic and Murray are catching him fast. I don't think Fed could stomache being overtaken by another one or even two and maybe this will be enough to make the difference in his game.

that was excellent thank u cheryl. i noticed the change in federer's presser 2. i also noticed the little jellyfish when he said it was ok 2 lose because stan was such a nice guy... dog at novak, much?? haha. but yeah, much much improved by him, he cudnt of praised stan more and hes finally admitting he needs 2 work on his serve!

Cheryl: I am glad that someone finally wrote about Rafa playing below his best.

It's pretty clear that the sharp angles, flat pacy ground strokes, and consistent clever serving that befuddled Federer in Wimbledon 08 and Australian Open 09 are missing from Nadal's arsenal. The much higher than usual unforced error count is something that has been symptomatic in his game since Miami and Indian Wells earlier this year. In fact, Nadal is still looking to regain the touch which led him to win Australian Open.

What caused this? Is it over tinkering with his game on the hard court tournaments after the Australian Open or is it just mental fatigue? Whatever it is, the scary part is that he still won in Monte Carlo playing below his best. I don't think there would ever be a better opportunity to beat Rafa on clay.

Make no mistake. Rafa will find his groove and begin to play his best tennis. Knowing him, it could be sooner rather than later!

And when that happens - the carnage will begin!

Even for the King of clay, some adjusting to a new surface is to be expected. We saw some surprise eliminations in Monte Carlo and now in Barcelona which show that even some of those considered clay experts, like Federer or Ferrer were way below their best.
But of course I agree with all the posts so far, in that Rafa will certainly raise his game, and fast. He is, after all, human and it's OK to play below full potential sometimes. Add to that the pressure that everyone assumes that he will win on clay and if he doesn't something is very wrong. He actually said that he was happy that Federer had ended his famous clay winning streak in Hamburg, so he didn't have to worry about increasing the record anymore (at least for a while).
Rafa will never say he's practically unbeatable on clay. Instead he'll say anybody can win. But that's why he IS practically unbeatable if healthy. He never takes anything for granted.

Great article. Very true statements too. Totally agree with all the posts so far too. If these 3 guys keep it up, it will be a great tennis season for all to enjoy!

Wait 'til maltheser comes. Why o why didn't you include his idol. Can't you at least make it 4 guys?

rafa's interview at barcelona

?Winning Monte Carlo five times is incredible, but I feel very comfortable there and I always want to do well there, as it was the first Master Series I won. For sure I had a great run there, but it was a very difficult tournament. Even when you have five titles it?s not easy, but the first was the most complicated. But I feel very good there and that helps me.?

?I?m very happy to be in Barcelona again. Playing here is always special because it?s an opportunity to play in my club in front of friends and family, and this makes me want to perform the best I can. I?ll give my all, and although the calendar is very tough I wouldn?t want to lose this tournament as it means so much to me. If I am here it is because I feel able to win, but this means I won?t have any rest in three weeks through Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.?

?On clay in recent years I have achieved results beyond my dreams. I had never imagined anything like this, and for me every match is equal or more difficult than the last. Although people don?t rate my results unless I win, for me reaching the semi finals of a big tournament is a great achievement and this makes me approach every match with the maximum enthusiasm.?

don't irritate the crocodile till you've reached the other side of the swamp unscratch.

Excellent article as usual cherylmurray.
Raindrops: thanks 4 making me laugh out loud!!

I just love this article. I think you are right in every statement you've made, Cheryl. And talking about Nadal, I understand he needs some adjustment, though I can't wait to see him play like he knows. It's just not the same without Federer and with Nadal not displaying his best tennis...

Federer will be back alba. I cannot wait to see him play tennis again next week. You are right. It just isn't the same when he isn't player. So many tennis fans wrote to sky sports/emailed/phoned saying this. We just love the guy...He brings so much to tennis and I really hope he is training hard to work through this period of his tennis career. Despite what some posters say....and we all know who they are...federer is a class act and will always be.

I particularly like the line that Nadal is not being given due credit for his insights.
His lack in command of the English language sometimes makes it even "easier" to comprehend what his heart wants to express!

I too agree with every statement in your once-again excellent article, Cheryl.

And also with all posts here so far.

Does anybody knows why Rafa plays in Barcelona, instead of resting for a while?

Barca is Rafa's "home" club and he is a member there. He has a sentimental attachment to there more than he does for say, Madrid.

ok.

well balanced article cheryl, good to read (insightful) Emotionally, Still no one reaches what the Fed does for me, I'm still waiting...(love is hard to beat). As much as I would like to thoroughly enjoy watching tennis without him, for the moment it's not happening. No sting, no edge of the seat sensation. Although to be honest I did watch part of the second set between Nadal, and Djokovic (while I was at work), and it was (much to my surprise) quite exciting, RIVETING even. For a moment I believed Djokovic might... Still the honour for me is with the Fed. Where is he exactly...?! When is he coming back?! And for an ending with a little poetism: "When will my tears turn into happiness again...) LOL :-) Cheers

His lack in command of the English language sometimes makes it even "easier" to comprehend what his heart wants to express! Nice agf25agf! Nice stuff... I can appreciate subjects of the heart. Even in the midst of tennis.

Lolz @ sky ...

Just like how the heartbroken deal with their acrid feelings, FORGET & MOVE ON. There's no use shedding tears night & day over someone who is not really meant to haha. Look around and you'll find someone who can bring you a new smile again.

I enjoy being melodramatic Raindrops. I think it's pretty obvious. That "it itself" is fun too! LOL I'm still waiting... :-) Maybe Roger will make the come back of ALL TIMES! of the CENTURY!!! LOL (Oh no, wait, there was someone else who made it back to number one after losing it?! Doesn't matter. I don't particularly care if he makes it back to the number 1 position ever. I'm just looking forward for him playing better than he has, and he will. It's fun thinking about it! Can you figure it out?! It's FANTASY mixed with a little (tennis) SCI-FI. I may be starting a new trend... It's entertainment... (while I'm waiting)... LOL Cheers.

Fed?? Why do we still bother?? The guy is clearly at his twilight of his career and he soon will completely fade out of the radar, isn't this obvious enough??

Cmon the guy gets owned by Rafa and Muzza even when they are playing with their eyes closed. Even second tier players like Djoko and Wawrinka are getting the better of him these days. Hasnt won anything that matters except that fluke run in US last yr since the last Great Depression.

I'll predict his only silverware this yr be his beloved Halle where he'll probably play someone like Baghdatis in the final and might trounce him love and two, but SO WHAT???

He will NEVER come back ever again cos the guy just doesnt have the mental toughness of the great Agassi or Sampras for that matter. He's had his fair share of run when the field was so pathetic that i'm sure Serena or Venus would have been in top 5 at least if they chose to play in the men's circuit.

Now would be a great time for him to hang up his racket, after all, WORLD NO.2 is a lot better than 64!!! And if being questioned about his retirement he could always talk trash like he always does, and i'll give him the credit for being so damn good at it!!!

P.S: Seeing Fed getting owned and cries like a baby on the world stage -- Priceless!!

lolz @ AZN2NVY ! So Do u think RG2008 Wimby2008 US2008 and AO2009 were pathetic fields?So According to u Rafa is de only one whuz eligible to play tennis ?

It's scary the expectations people have for poor Roger. He had an amazing year by any other player's standards. Talk of retirement is a bit (read very) pre-mature, no?

And BTW, there are some Rafa fans who are reasonable and can acknowledge Fed's achievements and not run him down. Well, I know I can anyway and i would call myself a Rafanatic, for sure

An excellent piece by Cheryl that triggered a sane and civilised discussion between fans with different allegiances. What a shame AZN entered into this discussion with his/her vitriolic comments to spoil it all.

So....raindrops....AZN...such terse comments for Federer...what a surprise. And having a go at SKY to move on? Is that what you do when your own player isn't performing as well as you expect them to? MOVE ON.....um......Really loyal, knowledgeable fans you are.....NOT! May be you should listen to your own words and MOVE ON. Federer is not done yet and so you would be wise to have a little bit more respect for the fed fans on this site, afterall, without us...who would you have a pop at? At least we keep you busy.....None of us...not even you know what Fed is doing behind the scenes in order to sort out his game. He isn't over yet so a bit more respect please but oh I forgot...You don't know the meaning of the word because of course it doesn't apply to the 'class less' so called tennis fans on this site. Pathetic really.

I dont think anyone can express surprise at Djokovic's performance. The fact that his results have been consistent in spite of very poor form over the recent months shows his calibre. And, when he is at his best, he plays Nadal like no other player on tour.

malteser1, it was just a nonsense exchanges with Sky and you bite it again like I have committed blasphemy according to your RF Scripture. It was just purely joke and here you are again pouring yourself with so much emotion ... here here ... box of tissue!

Awwww....Raindrops.....so nice of you to offer me tissues.....thank you so, so much. But really. You keep them. To wipe away all the CRAP that comes from your mouth. Go read some of your own posts Raindrops....it's not just me that's emotional. You take the biscuit a lot of the time...but of course, I forget. You are EXEMPT from everything.

He will NEVER come back ever again cos the guy just doesnt have the mental toughness of the great Agassi or Sampras for that matter.
Now would be a great time for him to hang up his racket, after all, AZN2NVY
, 4/24/09 6:29 AM
----------------------------------------------

Rog is gonna come back and kick Rafa's ass at Wimby! Provided Rafa makes it to the final. If not, ohh, well then Rog will have to wait till USO to avenge what's on his schedule. And who knows, he might even beat Rafa at Fo this time?? If he is really determined, then Rafa better watch out.

It never ceases to amaze me.....(universon and AZN...are you the same person? Just looking at your post? How can you divide the page with -----------if you are not the same person?) anyhow......it never ceases to amaze me how many people on this site write off Federer. Just to remind those doubters.....Federer has reached 19 Grand Slam finals - 19 TIMES - a record. AND THAT WAS THIS YEAR! Not 4 years ago, 5 years ago, but THIS YEAR. Never been achieved before. He played two of the best matches of his life in my view...in the AO in January -THREE MONTHS ago, the first against Thomas Berdyche coming back after 2 sets down to win and the second when he routed Del Potro with a double bagel. It just disappoints me that because he hasn't performed as well in the masters series (two semi finals (like that's so bad) and a third round), AZN why are you even on this site when all you can talk about is negativity? Who do you support? I love watching Rafa especially who is just incredible, but I don't slag him off in the way that you do with Fed...same goes for Raindrops and the rest of the crew, it's just BORING. So you know, just kind of watch your mouth. Why should he hang up his racket? He is NO.2 in the world? Should he start slipping down the rankings and NOT reaching the SEMIS or the FINALS of the slams and hell...even winning them - most recent being US OPEN 2008...then perhaps I would agree with you but UNTIL THEN, I think you just need to calm down a bit.

malteser1, 4/26/09 9:56 AM
please read the thread 'Uncle Toni knows best' and join us in the picket line.

I think Federer has a brain and I will respect whatever he decides to do.

The treatment Federer is receiving from some media people and some fans is not fair. Exactly the opposite of the over-praising he received when he was dominant. He was raised to the "GOD" level. being asked about how great he is and not IF he is great. ( letterman show on youtube, etc). He was befriended with Sampras and his matches were visited by Tiger Woods (IMG marketing plot of course!). He was dressed in gold and White in Wimbledon and Taxedo-likes in US Open.
And now just a year after Fed lost Wimbledon and number one, the treatment is the same, just in opposite direction. Those who could not find superlatives to describe his greatness, now can't find words to describe his demise. Is this fair to someone who dominated tennis for five years like no one else?

I respect his tennis and feel priviliged to be able to watch him in his dominant years. Who stays in that level all his life? Sampras? Borg? McEnroe? laver? ...who won 3 Gs titles year after year for 4 years?

If I was GOD, I would let Roger decide what to do and since he wants to play to his 30s so that his son can watch him, I wish him many happy and healthy years and hope his son can see his Dad win a GS title, just like Agassi ( and I think Fed is better than Agassi).

I know Rafa does not buy into "greatness" claims, but God, I hope he receives a better treatment when his dominant days are over. No doubt the rafa fans will NEVER slate their idol. It just stinks.

The treatment Federer is receiving from some media people and some fans is not fair.Exactly the opposite of the over-praising he received when he was dominant. He was raised to the "GOD" level. being asked about how great he is and not IF he is great. ( letterman show on youtube, etc). He was befriended with Sampras and his matches were visited by Tiger Woods (IMG marketing plot of course!). He was dressed in gold and White in Wimbledon and Taxedo-likes in US Open.
And now just a year after Fed lost Wimbledon and number one, the treatment is the same, just in opposite direction. Those who could not find superlatives to describe his greatness, now can't find words to describe his demise. Is this fair to someone who dominated tennis for five years like no one else?

I respect his tennis and feel privilaged to be able to watch him in his dominant years. Who stays in that level all his life? Sampras? Borg? McEnroe? laver? ...who won 3 Gs titles year after year for 4 years?

If I was GOD, I would let Roger decide what to do and since he wants to play to his 30s so that his son can watch him, I wish him many happy and healthy years and hope his son can see his Dad win a GS title, just like Agassi ( and I think Fed is better than Agassi).

I know Rafa does not buy into "greatness" claims, but God, I hope he receives a better treatment when his dominant days are over.

Apologies for double post everyone. Laptop went into overdrive...this was a post from another tennis site by a fan who feels exactly the same way as me. There are lots of us about. This isn't going to stop us from supporting Fed.

malteser 1 :why would comments on a blog stop you supporting Fed and enjoying watching him play? Sticks and stones....

malteser1,

believe me it will help if you get a pair of lemons, extract the juice and drink it to sooth up your nagging larynxgitis :-)

malteser, we get it. You're a Fed fan. Why do you have to go on like a broken record as to how much you're a fan and what Fed has done. We all KNOW what fed has done, we don't need it constantly repeated EVERY DAY! As far as you being upset over Fed's treatment by the media and fans, what did you expect? That it would last FOREVER?? That he would be treated like a God the rest of his life??? Many Rafa fans are STILL waiting for just an iota of respect that you are crying over Fed losing! Rafa fans DON"T want the media to put him up on a pedestal like Fed was (the Fed fans sure didn't mind it then!), because he is a human being that plays incredible tennis. Like that quote from philosophical quote from Rafa that I had posted in another thread, to paraphrase, "the higher you elevate yourself, the further you have to fall." Just some respect would be nice! By the way, that Universon you talked about claimed he is a fed fan, so he is with you!

fan4tennis...why don't you just get lost. I thought you weren't going to post me directly anymore? Having withdrawal symptons? Go pick on someone else.

You're the only one whining so you make it easy. I never said i wouldn't post to you directly anymore. I said I realized that it was futile to have a civilized debate with you. I guess that was the best you could do since what I said is true. Now I'm going to go celebrate another record breaking title win for Rafa!

fan4tennis don't wear yourself out. Reserve some energy for the rest of the season when our Rafa breaks more records and we'll need to celebrate again and again!!! :) And even if he doesn't, I'm still richer for having enjoyed such a great champion bring so much to this sport - on and off the court!

Cheryl: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In case you have not already seen this, here is the link:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/161392-what-impressed-me-mos t-about-the-big-four-in-monte-carlo/page/2

^^ LOOOOL...The article is almost word to word taken...hilarious.

cheryl, one question: what were u thinking?! almost copy-paste...

Fan4tennis....please don't flatter yourself. The only reason you and I cannot have a civilised debate is because you and your posse having nothing good to say about Federer. On the other hand, when it comes to you and your posse of blindfolded geeks who adore Nadal....kettle....pot....black....come to mind? you always have a go at me when I admire my favourite tennis player so why can't you take a taste of your own medicine? Problem is your ego supersedes you. How on earth do you get your head through the door each morning? So truly, please don't post me because in my view you have nothing to say except when you want to bully others who disagree with you. Am sure you can keep a conversation going with Raindrops and the rest of your crew. Congratulations to Rafa. It was a fabulous match yesterday with Ferrer. I thought it would be a walkover for Rafa, but Ferrer played really strong and deserved to be in the final. Could YOU fft ever say anything nice or complimentary about Federer? I doubt it because it's not in your limited vocabulary.

Malteser1, why can't you spare my name from constant dragging eh?

""""Congratulations to Rafa. It was a fabulous match yesterday with Ferrer. I thought it would be a walkover for Rafa, but Ferrer played really strong and deserved to be in the final. Could YOU fft ever say anything nice or complimentary about Federer?"""

I WOULD RATHER KEEP MYSELF TOTALLY MUTE THAN TO BE SOUND HYPOCRITE !!!

I told you before and I will tell you again, contain yourself at RF.COM if you don't want to hear the opposition. That's the sanctuary of people like you and the only place where you can find PERPETUAL & ENTERNAL BLISS because all people there are holding and reciting in unison the RF Manuscript.

It?s hard to call it a cult but you belong there malteser1. Go there, stay there so you won?t disappoint yourself here anymore.

marzipan, my article was written 4 days before the one that ed posted. Wow...that's like....plagarism.

btw, thanks for showing me that, ed. That wasn't even disguised. Just...really...wow.

Do you know what Raindrops...I am not a hypocrite...go read my post...I think it was the FIRST one when Rafa had beaten Ferrer. Go check it out. You simply cannot accept any criticism whatsoever and who the hell do you think you are? My Mother? quote...I told you beforer and I will tell you again?...unquote. Give me a break. I have continually congratulated Rafa but NEVER ONCE have you done the same. This site is for EVERYONE to share their views Raindrops, not just misguided fedhaters like you. Go join Raindrops.com or even better...Fan4tennis.com. and then you can post each other all day long. You are both the biggest hypocrites on this site by far. When you have nothing good to say about any of the other players save for Rafa, you show your true colours and you call me a hypocrite. You both need a poker up your backsides to shoot you into orbit, there is plenty of space up there to spout your pathetic comments. Grow up.

Raindrops I dont give a shit about what criticism you throw in here..and what your idea of an' opposition' is ( IMO we're just tennis fans with different tastes.)
but you have very little or no idea about RF.com.Roger is subjected to plenty of criticism and humour on his own site.
What most Federer fans cannot stand is not criticism , but the criticism that comes from Rafanatics and the kind which , in every sense, is unreasonable.( again,that mostly comes from Nadal fans )

You stated clearly that due to our limited vocabulary, you doubt if we could say anything nice or complimentary about Federer, right? So I responded back by saying I would rather keep myself totally mute rather than to be sound hypocrite, clear enough?

Again, rewind...go back few weeks ago, remember my first few posts about fedhaters in particular? I stated there and I will repeat it again that, the 'FED-HATERS' is actually the product of what the Nadal-haters-fedfans did in early days and it has now the recoiling effect on them. So fedfans, you deserved all the hates ... REAP.WHAT.YOU.SOW.

you'll reap what you sow too...you guys were no angels back in those days either.
Atleast Fed fans talk about Nadal's game most of the times,..
Nadal fans on the other hand take digs at Roger's character,his game,his looks, call him gay and have many a times taken potshots at Mirka too ( not here..).

janhavi,

"Nadal fans on the other hand take digs at Roger's character,his game,his looks, call him gay....."

Wait, is roger gay? It's the first time that i've read about this.

We've had a fan calling him that here and some others on TW...

Never I heard anyone saying Roger is gay. NEVER in my entire time reading different forums until you did janhavi. That is nothing compare to how the fedfans used to criticize Rafa before and up to present for a simple reason that Rafa has already overshadowed Roger. Matter of fact, refer to one of the articles here at TT (titled FEMININE... ) Rafa is the one targeted to be a gay because of his usual habit of putting his one arm around the neck or back of his opponents while the other taps the belly or chest so your sentiment about Roger criticized being gay is unheard and not worth to be considered criticism unlike Rafa that is being criticized by majority of fedfans, every minute of the day since the day he won his first French Open until now.

So don't be sensitive because we are just throwing back what you've thrown on us before and even now.

It is just normal to dig Roger's character because he shown tantrums, also his game because up to now out of the big 4, he is the only unproductive so far for 2009 and you don't want other people to dig that while you are busy digging on how to beat Nadal on clay huh! ABOUT THE HIS LOOKS ... you've read it and it was fedfans who provoked the rafans by calling Rafa a monkey and chimp a simian, a gorilla, a beast an animal ... If we dig at his looks then it was just clearly a retaliation.

So what's the use now of pouring your sentiments here if you knew that the fedfans are the first ones who showed ill manners? eh janhavi?

*forums until you did bring that info here janhavi.*

..read some of the past articles you'll find out who called him gay. its not just 2009 you guys have been nothing short of being rude even when Roger was dominating no matter how hard you try to deny it..and how convenient..Nadal fans are poor innocent souls who only seek to avenge..er..what exactly?
Note to self -Talking with Raindros and others of his kind is really a waste of time.Wouldnt bother again.To hell with his ramblings from now on...

My posse? What are you, grade school malteser? I see you chose to not answer my other post an another thread cuz it had a ring of truth to it and others agreed. So you come here and feel safe with janhavi here too. BTW, we didn't miss you jan. The only ego that is too big on here is of the Fed fans. They cannot stand it if their boy isn't being talked about, if his stats aren't listed everyday so they use any excuse in the books to drag him into every conversation, then get pissed when someone doesn't say Roger is the greatest! Malteser, you and I had a truce til you said Rafa DOES have simian features and torres calling him "Apeman" was correct because of evolution. THAT was the most pathetic excuse used on here! Fed fans have done more than a fair share of making fun of Rafa but you refuse to see it cuz all you see is that Roger isn't the focus anymore. jan, I have never called Fed gay OR made fun of Mirka (she is a beautiful woman) OR made fun of Roger's looks. I have honestly said that I believe Fed's dominance is over, but that he will get his 14th, it's just a matter of when. That is talking about his game and career, not his personal stuff!

I SAID I THOUGHT THAT RAFA LOOKED SIMIAN, BUT THAT I FOUND THAT ATTRACTIVE....malteser1 , 4/27/09 7:25 PM

Simian, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means "looking like or resembling monkeys or apes."

Last I saw Rafa, Sunday in Barcelona, he is definitely not as hairy (which monkeys and apes are) as some tennis players except that he has longer hair on the top of his head. Ross on "Friends" never had long hair. Roger is definitely hairier than Rafa on his legs and arms, but I would never dare to say he "looked simian." That is an insult no matter how you try to spin it. Would you like it if someone said someone YOU liked resembled a monkey or ape?

fan4tennis I spoke of fanatics not you.and flamewars are a fault of both sides-have oyou seen me deny it?..anyway..I'll stick to 'whatever'...also I dont care if you missed me or not. ( and seriously,wasnt that being rude unwantedly? who asked you anyway?)

Since you're sooooooooo smart malteser, produce a definition of simian from a reliable source. I highly doubt you will though, because it will mean admitting that my definition is correct. BTW, MW IS a validated international dictionary!

Another thing FFT.....there is a disclaimer on your knowledgeable 'merriam-Webster dictionary'...confirming that its not checked by any professor...go and have a look...and carefully.....Simian includes humans you idiot. It never ceases to amaze me about the ignorance of some people...you in particular.....DO YOUR RESEARCH....Therefore, Rafa is an attractive human. Hair or no hair. You see. You have a free lesson on the true word of Simian and if you had read my post PROPERLY FFT you would have noted that I mentioned Rafa as being an attractive man. Simian is a truly earthy word. An apology would be nice. But I won't hold my breath because you don't have it in you to apologise. If you were studying....and properly....you would have been told by your professors that Wikipedia, Merriam-Webster and the like are not classed as reliable research sites and cannot be quoted in any footnotes or headers. I can state that to you categorically my friend....no need to thank me...my pleasure.....

FFT, I didn't realise you had posted me SPECIFICALLY on another thread. Absolutely in no way would I be avoiding you AT ALL..CATEGORICALLY. I don't know what you have said in any other thread so if you wanna direct me, feel free and I will answer you. I'm waiting for my apology by the way.....And yeah. You're right. I am smart. You are totally incorrect here FFT. You would go up in my estimation if you apologised in terms of the simian reference. Furthermore, when talking about specific words, the ONLY DICTIONARY which is allowed in a court of law is the Oxford English Dictionary NOT the merriam-webster dictionary. You see the judges have to apply a more purposive approach these days, in line with Europe. The Literal approach, whilst still used, only by those traditional judges who want to produce absurd results. Merriam-webster wouldn't even make it down the corridor. I don't care whether others agreed with you on your comments about me. Couldn't care less. You mean nothing to me. Nor do they. I know what I mean, what I have said about Rafa....go check out my post...I know that I am respectful towards him and that you are not towards Roger because you are lacking as a person. So go find your buddies to back you up and hold your hand FFT. Let's face it, you bullies need to stick together cos it's all you know.

malteser, you're beginning to get like torres. You said a whole lot in your post BUT NEVER PROVIDED A DEFINITION!!!!!!!! Do you really think I'm going to take YOUR word for it??? Name your source please!

"produce a definition of simian from a reliable source." fan4tennis , 4/27/09 8:08 PM

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language
sim·i·an audio (sm-n) KEY
ADJECTIVE:
Relating to, characteristic of, or resembling an ape or a monkey.
NOUN:
An ape or a monkey.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin smia, ape, probably from smus, snub-nosed, from Greek smos

Now malteser, it's your turn to provide your own definition. Let's see how you can twist this one to justify your point.

malteser-perfect point about wiki and Merriam
and others.As far as I know you cannot quote them as reliable sources..
as for what Simian in your post meant-Well I guess it depends in what context you used it and with what intention you did or what you implied when you used the word..but literally I think it means 'ape-like' too.Could be , that you used the wrong word to say what you wanted to..it happens to everyone.Correct me if I am wrong.

Danny...you want to get into the argument you loser......The primates include the most familiar of the placental mammals, because they include us, Homo sapiens. Primates also include familiar animals, such as the chimpanzees, gorillas, and monkeys, as well as the somewhat less familiar lemurs, lorises, galagos, pottos, sifakas, indris, aye-ayes, and tarsiers.
I am well aware of what Simian means....I am Greek! You loser! It's not about twisting things to justify my point you moron. It is about the fact that WE, RAFA, whoever the hell you want to INCLUDE is INCLUDED in the definition of SIMIAN. Now honestly Danny...didn't you know that? And what the hell has this got to do with you? I am waiting for FFT to reply with an apology. Cos let's face it, you have proved that you are just as ignorant as him! By the way...your definition......isn't validated honey......It's American! Ha! I think it it worse than Merriam-Webster. Once again SIMIAN INCLUDES HUMANS! Moron number 2. (Danny).

Janhavi....IT WAS TORRES that called Rafa 'ape like', not me. I am a linguist and tried to explain 'simian' to some of the other posters.....it was people like FFT who stoked this up into something more by having a go at Torres for giving his opinion. I have NEVER said that Rafa was ape like. I could go into the whole evolution argument but am not going to. The word Simian is more than acceptable to use for humans. It is validated in many resources. Ross from Friends is simian looking. We all have those qualities. So I haven't used the wrong word. It is people like FFT and one of his posse, danny dumb brain getting on the bandwagon to have a pop because torres hasn't been on this site for a while and so when trying to explain to them the true meaning of the word simian, they won't accept it because they know they are wrong and I am right. That's men for you. You know, the whole patriarchal stuff.

No apology malteser until you provide a definition of simian from a reliable source that proves me wrong. All you are doing is alot of talk, no substance and no answers. Merriam-Webster is an accredited source for material in the US, as is OED. Still waiting to see how much OED differs from what I stated and what Danny provided. We've provided our sources for you to double check. Still waiting on an answer though from you malteser to the actual question instead of alot of doubletalk.

The simians are the "higher primates" familiar to most people (except FFT and danny dumb brain) : the monkeys and the apes, including humans. Simians tend to be larger than the "lower primates" or prosimians....meaning that humans are the primary form....primary meaning FIRST...HIGHEST in the hierarchy...if you were intelligent enough FFT and Danny dumb brain, you would have realised what a huge compliment I was paying Rafa (disregarding what torres had said completely...which i did), but I forget you are just not THAT intelligent.

^Couldn't help but laugh.
Oh and I agree--use of American sources for literature and language is absolute no -no for me too... :) anyway I can understand how,using Simian can get people worked up a bit.It isnt a description used in ordinary literature nor are many taught it that way at school,high-school or grad level.But thanks for your expelanation.Cant deny it makes sense.

"so when trying to explain to them the true meaning of the word simian", malteser1 , 4/27/09 9:13 PM

YOU HAVEN'T EXPLAINED ANYTHING MALTESER!!!!!! Just your own opinion doesn't count! We provided definitions and you said they were wrong but have yet to back your claim up.

jan, torres made the original remark and malteser then agreed that Rafa was simian. Malteser claimed torres could have meant by evolution but stated he thought Rafa was simian, hence the request for the definition of "simian." Which brings us to now and malteser's refusal to provide a reliable definition.

Provide a source malteser! We know it won't be MW. We definitely aren't going to take your word for anything unless you provide a source/link, etc.

^I think malteser just clarified the same definition you providedand stated how it can be used.I'll still leave that to him though.

Thank you jan. Am just waiting for his definition and source for what he claims is a simple term.

meant to say source as opposed to link guys. Furthermore, if you have watched friends....hence the reference to Ross...and his job as a palaeontologist....Hope this satisfies your curiosity. Also FFT...it is a fascinating subject....you learn so much....you know about the word simian and the fact that it includes humans, us being the primary primates so to speak......been wonderful trying to explain this to you even if don't really understand it completely.......

Since you are the one claiming we are wrong, how about YOU email your professor(s) for a definition. I'm sure in all the books they use, they can find ONE definition. BTW, I am also female and alot more educated than you think. I have a BA with a double major of Advanced Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Clinical Chemistry and graduated magna cum laude so as you can see, I am very detail-oriented. That includes requiring sources (proof) for definitions.

edited for content

edited for content

" I don't need to email my professors honey. If you doubt them, do your own dirty work. Arrogance at the highest level me thinks. FFT you are simply unbelievable." malteser1 , 4/27/09 10:53 PM

Knew you wouldn't back up your claims that we were wrong!!!! You're pathetic! You made the claims we were sooooo wrong but refuse to do YOUR own dirty work to prove it! Shouldn't be anything new to you to provide sources for info you use since you are finishing your Masters and starting your PhD. (pah!) Why you can't seem to provide one SIMPLE definition is hilarious for such a scholarly person!

The definition you claimed was wrong was "simian". Nowhere in that 23 year old notation (Evolutionary Biology, 2nd Ed. 1986,) was the word simian mentioned. I do hope your professors don't have to keep reminding you of what needs defined.

Wow, I now know a whole lot more about apes and simians than i did before i read this thread....

Simmer down guys and gals , no need to quote your educational qualifications, this is a tennis forum!! Most people who comment here seem to be about Grade 2 level, from the way they resolve issues on this sitel!! Hehehe.

Yah, that's the mark of an intellectual, malteaser style.
When asked to define simian, he will quote evrything and anything from the book but not the definition being asked of. Now its evolution eh.
And by the way, calling people names does not make it true. If I call you an idiot, that does not mean that your iq is abyssmal.

FFT, YOU SHOW YOUR IGNORANCE. REPEAT: DANNY...YOU SHOW YOUR IGNORANCE....REPEAT.....REWIND TO DEFINITION ONCE AGAIN......ALREADY QUOTED TO YOU AND DENIED BY YOU....HELLO? UNEDUCATED?
.....'The simians are the "higher primates" familiar to most people (except FFT and danny dumb brain) : the monkeys and the apes, including humans. Simians tend to be larger than the "lower primates" or prosimians....meaning that humans are the primary form....primary meaning FIRST...HIGHEST in the hierarchy...if you were intelligent enough FFT and Danny dumb brain, you would have realised what a huge compliment I was paying Rafa (disregarding what torres had said completely...which i did), but I forget you are just not THAT intelligent.

Furthermore, FFT, I have provided TWO definitions to you from TWO different sources. I have given you the names of 4 EMERITUS PROFESSORS whom YOU can google if YOUR disbelieve who have chosen this discipline to dedicate their education/lives in terms of furthering others education (save for yours because you won't accept it). YOU....FFT QUOTE....MERRIAM WEBSTER DICTIONARY AS YOUR SOURCE........You should know that NEVER should a graduate quote that when doing research yet YOU FFT did! YOU then go on to say the definitions are WRONG, the EMERITUS PROFESSORS WHO ALL HOLD PHD's in this discipline are WRONG....FFT, you surpass your own ego in terms of ARROGANCE. YOU HAVE NOT A LEG TO STAND ON. YOU KNOW IT, I KNOW IT, YOUR EGO KNOWS IT.

Apologise and go up in my estimation.

tennistalk.com is now evolving into "tennis and taxonomy talk.com"......rafa's is a human....educated,mannered and a bilinguist......nd an awesome tennis player......thats wat matters to me....nd he is good looking for the majority here except torres9!!!!!!i wonder where is he???

wow :) wow... so, honey, if it's not your fault, why didnt you do anything about that? u could say sth before

malteser1
I agree in full. Rafa looks simian. And fan4tennis looks double as simian tro me. :-)

marzipan...not sure who are talking to honey...please explain?

FFT and Danny....still waiting for the apology...YOU'VE BEEN BUSTED! You know it! Break the mould FFT...come on honey...apologise.....by the way...did you know that to say that 4 emeritus professors in their chosen discipline are WRONG is the height of impudence and a graduate (you say that you are...I question that when you quote Merriam-webster dictionary!)......should NEVER say that an Emeritus professor is incorrect, when sources have been produced...and yet you did. You need to come to UK and get PROPERLY EDUCATED.

Universon.....thanks for the support...but I don't want FFT and Danny accusing me of needing the support. I don't.....thanks anyway.....

Read the definition again FFT............... SIMIAN INCLUDES HUMANS! ......you're BUSTED!

Malteser1 said: I THOUGHT THAT RAFA LOOKED SIMIAN, BUT THAT I FOUND THAT ATTRACTIVE.

Rafa is a human and you cited him LOOKED simian ... the word LOOKED itself indicates clearly that you are associating Rafa to something else not human.

Now, in your best capacity, provide us an imaginative exact appearance of a simian since you are defying the basic definition of it.

I was also in awed just like the others when you tediously put in details your school credentials, I have no idea what was your intention in doing that but anyway your effort is worth for a SPIT...Pweh! Your brain is as good as that of a simian.

"""Read the definition again FFT..... SIMIAN INCLUDES HUMANS! ......you're BUSTED!"""
---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------

Haha what a rotten brain you have malteser1 ... if simian includes humans, then why the hell you cited a very human rafa looked simian? That it makes sense if Rafa is not human then your sentence is correct that he does looked simian. What a confused brain!

to cheryl, she knows ;)

malteaser,
"""Read the definition again FFT..... SIMIAN INCLUDES HUMANS! ......you're BUSTED!"""

Is it already a proven fact that humans evolved from apes? What about the majority of the human population who believe in creation? If you are an atheist, don't assume that we are like you. You're doubly busted malreaser!!!

I believe that I am descended from Adam. It's nice to know that malteaser on the other hand is the descendant of KINGKONG.

Marzipan, I didn't know about it until Ed told me, or believe me I would have. The article has since been deleted.

To the rest of you, consider this your warning. I don't mind some...difference of opinion. When Federer fans and Nadal fans congregate, there will always be difference of opinion, but if you get too nasty (and by this, I mean personally insulting other posters), I'm going to start deleting posts. And if that doesn't solve the problem, I will issue temporary bans.

Calling Rafael Nadal ape-like is NOT acceptable. It is the height of disrespect whether you meant it as a compliment or not. Thanks.

So does Roger Federer look Simian to you, then? I know what the term means, and I know what you meant by it. I am telling you that I do not consider it an acceptable thing to say. I am the administrator. Period.

The theory of evolution is just a THEORY, not yet a proven fact!

Touche Danny, looks like some people haven't burnt enough midnight oil!

Cheryl I couldn't care less whether you are the Editor. Do not accuse me of saying things that I have not said. That...in case you didn't know...is libel. PLUS if you want to know who said Rafa was 'ape like' then I suggest you do your work as an Editor and do it properly. It was not me Cheryl. Period. Plus we live in a democracy here...or don't we? Do you make your own laws on this site? You asked me a question Cheryl, I will answer it. Yes. Roger Federer looks Simian...he is of dark appearance in hair and eyes....If you read my post properly, you will note I referred to Ross from my friends as looking Simian. Human. High intelligence. Higher primates. We all are Simian. It is a very acceptable word to use. Simian includes humans Cheryl and I don't actually think that you did know that. Whether or not you feel it is acceptable is a subjective opinion, certainly not an objective one. If 4 Emeritus professors feel it is acceptable and I have given the definition they have used then are you saying you are arguing with 4 guys who have PHd's between them? I couldn't care less whether you ban me from this site, I haven't said anything wrong or incorrect. Thanks for reminding me about your role as Editor and Administrator...you might therefore want to direct your threats to the people who started this and not the people who responded. Period.

give it a rest now,please.
Also according to moderation rules we've had several other who've constantly been crossing the lines ..I kindly request the mods to take some action against those posters too.

oh..and in case of any misehaviour on my part I'd like to apologise too..
But really now,I'm sick of the trash-talking.Of any sort.When you come to this site,its like you're fighting more than arguing and it really ends up getting on my nerves sometimes ...you'd think the players of a poster's personal dislike is the biggest brat in the world if you hadn't been following tennis that much.

torres9 was the one who mocked rafa being "ape like"....not malteser1........if being simian means looking like david schwimmer(ross from friends),then it shud be taken as a compliment......malteser1 even made it a point to post that he found the "simian" look attractive.....im an engineering student,so i cant actually know precisely wat simian means.......it seems malteser1 does know wat hez talking abt...nd i havent seen him use "simian" as a demeaning word......so wats the problem here guys??? chill......

Janhavi quite agree. But I am NOT going to be made responsible for someone else's comments in terms of 'ape like'. I did not say that. Oh...and by the way CHERYL...you might want to start pointing the finger at the RAFA FANS WHO CALL ROGER GAY...or is that acceptable? Plus AGF who wished Roger to get cancer and die? Is that acceptable or do you have your own favourites on this site? Pot....Kettle....black....you also could learn a lot from this as Editor/Administrator, whatever you want to call yourself....unless of course you are exempt from making mistakes. You have made a huge one this time by trying to point the finger at the wrong person. I doubt whether there is an apology there Cheryl. I read a couple of your articles which I didn't particularly like as is my right to comment, I don't actually think you like people disagreeing with you. How can that be beneficial? Are you the oracle or something? I am really happy to get back to the tennis but when people like AGF, RAINDROPS, CARRIE, FANFORTENNIS, DANNY, AZNY, CONSTANTLY HAVE A POP AT FEDERER. WHY SHOULD FEDERER FANS PUT UP WITH IT? unless of course cheryl you are more biased than you want to make out. So don't threaten me. Ban me if it makes you feel better. And I hope you are proud of yourself.

^ yes, what I dont understand too is how Federer being called gay on this very site is acceptable..I hope that moderation on this site is fair..

vrael,
He is a she, she said so in previous post.
And we should take her use of simian in the context that she use it right after torres mocked rafa as ape like. She said that she agreed that rafa indeed looked simian. Although she made it sound as not a bad thing by adding sweeteners. Tell you what, she did the trick. She made you believe her.

janhavi,
if i remember right, it was you who brought up roger being gay in this site. i replied to you by asking if it is true since it's the first time that i hear of such.

read the articles here..I did not 'bring' it up..it already exists...

i dunno danny.........like i said i dont know wat the heck simian means........if it means to look like ross from friends i would take it as a compliment........if it means to be uncivilized or ape like.....then this term is wrong for rafa....thats it.....i felt malteser1 meant it positively...so i have no problems wid it.....

"I am really happy to get back to the tennis but when people like AGF, RAINDROPS, CARRIE, FANFORTENNIS, DANNY, AZNY, CONSTANTLY HAVE A POP AT FEDERER. WHY SHOULD FEDERER FANS PUT UP WITH IT?"

Can you quote the worst that i said about roger?

danny, few fanatics here don't like anything said against federer - anything that basically doesn't hold him on a pedestal. They take it personally and negatively. This is what you need to understand. That's why some get very personal and launch attacks. Even if you say something about Federer related to the blog which isn't positive, all hell breaks lose. They can't recognise that people are entitled to their opinions - if you don't hold the same opinions as them. Only few here though, not all of them.

Cheryl explained before that it's a blog and not an article yet some 'tards' still don't understand!!!

vrael,
sometimes, we need to read between the lines.if somebody is taking a moral high ground and at the same instance use words like idiot, moron, ignorant, to describe other posters, then it makes you think otherwise.

thanks for the reminder remz. i was just a lurker in this site for the longest time. it was torres with his foul mouth that made me come out and join the fray.

Danny....absolutely right in terms of ignorant...that was you..directed at you..if you read the posts you put your penny worth's in AFTER the event so don't start backtracking buddy. You gave as good as you got. Go read some of the posts yourself...you little 'angel' you. You are a twister. You know it. I know it.

Vrael....it was meant positively. I have stated my case in terms of academic definition and backed it up with source material FIVE TIMES. The only reason I stated my academic qualification is because I was asked for the source and of course if you are studying at Uni, it kind of goes with the territory that you are a graduate studying for a masters' or higher. That was it. Plus Ross from friends has often described himself as of simian features. He is gorgeous. Some people are not attracted to simian features...we all have them to varying degrees. But I am really disappointed at the fact that people who are uneducated in terms of accepting professors expertise and validated source material, continue to argue the point. Hellooooooo Fan4tennis and Danny. That shows PURE ARROGANCE. Then the finger is pointed at me for substantiating my definition which is more than valid, time and time again. Fan4Tennis won't apologise because she is stubborn, ill-mannered, uneducated and quite frankly her ego does surpass her, as does Danny's. Remi also has had a pop on occasion. But we are all passionate about what we believe in. It has got extremely heated which is what debate is all about.

But I do know my information and I wouldn't lie about something if I wasn't sure about what I was saying. Otherwise, the professors teaching me....well....why would they even be employed at one of the top Universities in UK? They wouldn't and I respect that. Unfortunately FFT and Danny differ because they know they have not got a leg to stand on. So they continue with their bleating and their whining, digging themselves a bigger hole.

By the way Danny...I didn't add sweeteners. I 'd give you a bag of frigging sugar if I wanted to do that. I gave it as it was. Simple. You just chose not to accept it. Another flaw in your character because you seeing apologising as a weakness. Wrong. You can all say what you like about me. I really couldn't give a toss. I am not a fanatic. I am a passionate Greek. We love our tennis, we love bagdhatis and I particularly admire roger for so many reasons. I then come across pricks on this site that go on and on and on. There is no way that I am not going to reply. Likewise if anyone said anything about whoever their favourite player is. Get real! This is a passionate debate. But many posters....who know who they are....are just really bad at believing they have EVER said anything wrong. Example. Gordana has gone quiet, she was fine one to talk. Nothing ever she said was nice about Roger, no acceptance of his skill or finesse. Horrible woman. So I stand by everything I have said. If Danny now wants to squirm his way around saying I have convinced everyone with sweeteners, then he is even more stupid than I gave him credit for.

malteaser,

have you considered seeing a psychiarist lately?

Danny.....the word...'moron'....13th century.....applied to a person who does lnot isten to what is being told.......now that IS you honey......you can also use the word 'chowderhead' if you like? I'll leave it to you. Plus you are ignorant if you disregard expert opinion.

"YOU then go on to say the definitions are WRONG, the EMERITUS PROFESSORS WHO ALL HOLD PHD's in this discipline are WRONG" malteser1 , 4/28/09 7:33 AM

Quote me where I said they were wrong? You provided an DISCUSSION about evolution which is not considered a definition. I simply asked for a definition from a reliable source (which doesn't include your words) of the word simian, which you never provided. You've done alot of talking but no definitions of the cited word are in that.

"So does Roger Federer look Simian to you, then? I know what the term means, and I know what you meant by it. I am telling you that I do not consider it an acceptable thing to say. I am the administrator. Period."
cherylmurray , 4/28/09 2:55 PM

Cheryl, being a writer, definitely knows about having to provide sources when you quote someone or something. And I DO care that she is the administrator of this site!

You go right on ahead and suck up to cheryl fan4tennis. YOU being the orchestrator of all of this because you didn't accept any of the definitions provided. L-IS-T-E-N carefully fan4tennis. A-D-M-I-T when you are wrong FFT. You are incredibly big headed. Read Vrael's post, Janhavi's post and L-E-A-R-N from your mistakes. Cheryl can do what the hell she likes. I couldn't care less. I know what I have done. Nothing wrong. S-I-M-I-A-N includes H-U-M-A-N-S. that goes to the both of you.

Danny....yeah..I see a psychiatrist every week actually. His name is Danny. In the Old Testament, Daniel was a Hebrew prophet and the Book of Daniel contains prophecies concerning the future. Daniel was among the Jews who were taken captive in Babylon. He rose to a high position in the Babylonian government by interpreting the king's dreams. Daniel was persecuted by the Babylonians for his faith in God and survived a politically motivated death sentence in a lions? den.

Okay Danny? How ya feeling today?

Ok guys,,,,when some experssion scould be used in more than one meaning or more than one context, then ask the poster to ewxplain it further, in case of any ambiguity. If the explaination fits, then go over it, and move forward.

I'd always give the benefit of the doubt to the poster. Cuz, who else on earth know better what he/she meant?? Especially having one thing on mind: IT is not what you say, but IT IS what YOU MEAN.

In this case, the additional explaination of malteser1 would do. He explained that there was nothing offensive, so give him the benefit of the doubt.

Some (I said: SOME, ok?) of Rafa fans in here acting too defensive. They litterally jump up to anytyhing that is said which is doubting his play, attitude, behaviour...etc. Not good for him guys. You're going to create another monster (after Rog's one), and that could only hurt Rafa down the road, once he start slipping off the top. Think about this, if you're true Rafa fans.

The way I see Rafa is nice a personality guy, who respects everyone (unlike some other champions out there). Therefore he deserves respect too. And now let's go back to the subject aT HAND.

"but literally I think it means 'ape-like' too" janhavi , 4/27/09 8:58 PM
"anyway I can understand how,using Simian can get people worked up a bit."
janhavi , 4/27/09 9:23 PM

Your fellow Fed fan said those comments. Vrael also said that she liked the term if it meant he looked like David Schwimmer (Ross) but not if it meant ape-like.

"YOU being the orchestrator of all of this because you didn't accept any of the definitions provided" malteser1 , 4/28/09 8:05 PM

The ONLY definitions provided were by me and Danny. Yours were purely discussion on evolution THEORY.
I am not sucking up to Cheryl. No need to. I have not always agreed with what she has written, but most of her writings I do like. And I don't care if it was Cheryl, Ricky, Johan or whoever, it was disrespectful to say "Cheryl I couldn't care less whether you are the Editor." This is THEIR site and we are invited guests!

sorry for all of my typos in here. I just typing with two fingers, and proned to omit the keys. I'll work on it. :-)

malteser1, you are probably too educated to be well understood by some of the so-called tennis fans. I would care less about what they say. At least that's what i do when run into situation like yours.

I do not know anyone who wasn't bashed by fan4tennis, Nothing, and few more. And tha's only b/c they're rooting for other players than Rafa.

Go get the life guys. Rafa is gonna lose this one. Murray or Djoker? Doesn't matter. Cuz I do one of them will get him this time.

This is THEIR site and we are invited guests!
fan4tennis , 4/28/09 8:24 PM
-----------------------------------------

invited? Who's invited? I thought it was a free discussion board for everyoone who's with good attitude? IS this wrong?
fan4tennis, here's a free advice for you: "Argue opinions; and not the person".
You want to find more of this? Please go here: www.arguenow.net

the more that we should be respectful of the writers and moderators of this site, because we are UNINVITED GUEST if you like.

"Argue opinions; and not the person".

The "opinion" was what the meaning of simian is. Malteser degenerated it into her calling everyone that disagreed, names repeatedly instead of providing a definition. Many can attest to the fact that I have not badmouthed Murray or Novak. You OBVIOUSLY don't know that I have posted many times, that Rafa will lose because he is not perfect and NO ONE has a perfect season. I have praised Nole and Murray for their games and will continue to do so. Just because I am a Rafa fan, does not mean I cannot appreciate the play of others.

You cannot post here unless you are a member which means it is NOT a public discussion board. Just because it is free does not make it public. Also, this site has administrators who are in charge and should not be disrespected.

Fan4Tennis....wait for cheryl to come along honey and stroke you on the back like a little poodle, you can then wag your tail honey and wait for her to throw you a bone.....
You clearly aren't listening and so I am not going to repeat myself for the S-I-X-T-H time. You cannot make someone understand if they have had a labotomy....you can only teach them to sit up on their hind legs and beg. You are a nasty piece of work with a limited mind. You need all the help you can get in life. I couldn't care less if Cheryl was the queen of frigging Burma. No one accuses me of saying something that I never said. If you want to suck up to mamma and be a yes person, go right ahead. YOU FAN4TENNIS are the reason WHY this conversation has gone on. As for Danny...he is your little sidekick puppy...getting in on the act because he wants a piece of the venom you spurt out. You deserve each other.

Janhavi, back to the tennis. Some great things said about Roger in your posted article....for now, it will be really good to see him back at play tomorrow against Karlovic. Raining in Rome for the last 2 days, so only been watching rematches. Universon....agreed regarding 'free discussion'.... but problem is FFT doesn't understand. She is TRYING very hard to read between the lines but unfortunately she is not blessed with insight. She relies on MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary...I laughed so much at that..LOVED your post Universon, whoever you support.

malteser, you just CAN'T stop with the insults and name-calling, can you?

Fan4tennis....you started this honey. You can stop this by apologising. Are you going to do that? No? Are you going to stop posting me directly, like I asked you to do AGES ago, because YOU ARE THE BULLY here. No. You still continue to do it. Grow up and apologise FFT, show us what a big girl you are...

More name calling I see. I won't apologize because I have NOT been PROVEN wrong.

"Fan4tennis....you started this honey" --Sorry to disappoint but Raindrops brought up the insults Rafa has endured and YOU responded with the simian comment (malteser1 , 4/27/09 7:25 PM). I provided the definition and you responded by a bunch of insults towards me. Reread the thread if you don't believe me. And DON"T call me "honey" again. I am NOT your honey, never was and never will be. That is reserved for my loved ones.

Okay honey......try not to portray yourself as the saintly mary magdalene will you? It really isn't convincing anyone. PLUS FFT, you are a bully of the highest order. Disrespecting professors definitions. Yet you deny it? Are you for real? Are you for real? You are a disgusting hypocrite. You really are. You have been given all the information you could possibly ask for yet you still don't accept it because you know you are wrong. You beggar belief. Totally. YOU HAVE BEEN THE INSULTING PARTY HERE. I HAVE RESPONDED TO YOU AND IT HAS JUST CONTINUED....and then you got scared didn't you? Agreeing with Cheryl....just in case you got banned because of YOUR behaviour. We are all guilty of being passionate on this site, but you MOST OF ALL have been THE most blinkered, disrespectful person AND talk about HYPOCRISY...you then go on about treating people with respect? Pah! You are a piece of work. Go and see a counsellor and untangle that mixed up,confused mind of yours. You really do need serious help.

I am not scared malteser because I have not lowered myself to your level by repeatedly calling you all sorts of names. I have not called you any insulting name, yet you persist in filling your posts with several insults to me. I agreed with Cheryl for what she said, not because of a fear of being banned.

" You have been given all the information you could possibly ask for ".....except for what I asked for (since you claimed I was wrong)and that was a simple definition.

fan4tennis....I get it! You have no one to talk to! You need to vent out your spleen on someone who you feel you can dominate with your bullying behaviour. Got it. Definition given to you. Very clear. You don't accept it. Y-O-U-R P-R-O-B-L-E-M. Each post you have sent to me FFT has been laced with derision and arrogance. Go read them and then give yourself a HUGE PAT ON THE BACK. How does it feel FFT to be sooooooooo wonderfully hypocritical? Seriously. You are boring me big time now. Go play along with your other friend Danny to keep you company. I told you NOT to post me. You have continued to do so. Can you admit that? Oooops...I've forgotten. Nothing applies to you because you are above it all. I have nothing but contempt for you.

"Each post you have sent to me FFT has been laced with derision and arrogance."

What have yours been laced with? Insults, derision and arrogance?

choose your own words fan4tennis and STOP copying mine. Go do your research on Merriam-Webster. That's your level. Sleep well honey.

I'm going to try this one more time. Malteser, I am done arguing with you about whether simian is a compliment or not. The fact is that the term can be construed as offensive, so I am going to ask you politely to please not use it again when talking about a player or poster on this website. Thanks.

I've asked the lot of you to please keep your comments from getting too personal and disrespectful. Not just the Federer fans. Not just the Nadal fans. ALL OF YOU. There is no need to be so nasty. Clean it up or I will do it for you.

Thanks Cheryl.

Thanks also Cheryl.

fan4tennis.................vrael is a "he"

Cheryl...I am asking you politely to STOP pointing the finger of blame at me. You asked me a question....YOU used the word simian yourself. Oh My God. Why are you being so hypocritical. I know exactly what the word means and I know exactly what I meant by it. As Vrael said earlier....I described RAFA as ATTRACTIVE...all man...You are NOT my mother. YOU are NOT my professor who is teaching me the exact meaning of the word. Ban me if you want and feel proud that you join the rest of the ignorant posters on this site. Oh, and by the way......just have a read of the posts by Raindrops, FAN4TENNIS...(she's backing down now cos she's scared), AGF and then make an informed judgment Cheryl. Don't try and teach me what I already know.

malteaser,
You called me a twister. Now who's being caught red handed twisting someone's words. Raindrops said and i quote "Can I resign now as Rafan? I endure a lot of tensions in the past and more to come I know not good for health. I am contemplating to switch to Stanfan ... the electric ventilator with stand = STANdFAN?"

Did it say anywhere that she's scared?

Bro danny, raindrops is a he!

malterser1 meant Fan4tennis the one scared and slowing down, of which I find not true based on fan4tennis recent postings ... I don't see her retreating her foot at the gas pedal, she is actually maintaining her speed, not as what malteser1 alleges.

Cheers for all your comments Danny. It's incredibly enlightening for me to see that you recognise others faults.....mine.....but never your own. You must be a real catch. The perfect man. Quick everyone, we have someone who has never insulted Roger Federer or any other poster on this site, has been completely neutral on every article, always sits on the fence, is a really fun guy, great conversation and such a sparkling personality. Do you fancy a date Danny?

I am very sorry Raindrops, i don't know what gave me the idea that you're a lady.while talking to you, i have this mental picture of you with long flowing hair bathing in the rain. damn,that must be my fantasy going wild.the reverse is true with malteaser. my first mental picture of him is a guy, advanced in years, toiling in the lab dissecting primates.
Again sorry bro!

no need to apologize bro that's understandable, we are not talking face to face but via net. Not offended at all, so cheer up because Rafa will be on court in a short while. Is the beer ready? I preferred it cold and 5 bottles minimum!

yes i'm ready with my six pack, but it's just NAB. alcohol is prohibited where i am.

wait, in their one and only previous encounter, seppi won over rafa? now i'm getting worried. and the game is delayed?

...and the frazzling starts !!!

Fiberlight called it, 6-2 first set for Rafa...wohhooooo!!!

Hey Danny....just to let you know also MALTESER (that's me)....I'm a girl! Certainly not the way that you described me.....so I thought I would put you right...(let's face it, it's not the first time is it?)...I do have long blonde hair. I'm 28. Of greek descent. Have a british mother but greek father, hence I split my time between two countries. Cyprus and UK. I'm bilingual and have been since I was 2. I don't like working in a lab cutting up primates (that made me laugh).....I am studying in UK working towards a Phd..as you know. Hope that clarifies things for you. So how about that date then?

wohhhoooooooooo, 6-2, 6-3 another routine win!

you beat me to the draw rain. Cheers

And malt, sorry but i already told you that you're not my type, remember?

Thanks for your support Raindrops and Danny! Sorry for the gender mistake vrael!

Just came online and saw that Murray lost already. Was very surprised to see that but this clay season we have seen may upsets already. One of the players said yesterday that the clay was "clumping" due to the rain so it was harder to slide on. I hope no one gets hurt trying to slide and that it dries out enough.

Vamos Rafa!!! If I'm not mistaken, he now will gain points regardless of how far he goes in Rome. Keep it going Rafa!!!

No problem Danny.....you'd just got the description of me all wrong ya see...am pretty gutted but then again it's probably down to the higher intelligence? You know women v men and all that......am sure I'll survive.

????
Where am I ? ^^
Is this TennisTalk? Hello EARTH !
Did someone ask for a date?
The kitchen is stink?something's brewing ... can it be romance?
.
.
.
Ladies and gentlemen ....
Presenting the Loveside of TennisTalk
.
.
Simian meets Prince Charming.

?and they live happily ever after.

End of story

Haha Ms. Cheryl Murray...I was just just jesting obviously!

You get rejected by a guy and say its because he isnt smart enough? Youre a woman all right :D

Yeah...Orion....you c Danny is da man 4 me. I love his humour, his LOW intelligence, he's pretty smart for a man. We got some spark going between us....he says TOM-MAY-TOE...I say TOM- MAR- TOE...We are ying and yang. sweet and sour....He's L-U-R-V-E-L-Y. My heart beats every time I see his post. He understands I love to do my research. He accepts me for who I am. He knows that my studying won't interfere with the blossoming romance. I'd put him first. Look after him, ya know, stroke his weary brow when things got too much. We could watch the finals between Nadal v Federer...share a glass of champagne when Federer wins.....He's defo the man for me.....Did you know Orion that your name means 'Mighty Hunter?'

Now i feel creepy. Something's not right somewhere.

I didnt know that. Its the title of one of my favorite songs but I didnt know what it meant

Now danny...I know you are playing hard to get honey...don't worry. I am a patient gal....I could actually be your wild fantasy ya know....

Orion....Yep. It's the greek connection. Studied a lot of Greek mythology at school....Orion was a legendary greek hunter who was killed by a scorpion if I remember in the city of Gaia...am sure you can find out more about it.....

(whisles) twiiiiit twiiiiittt...vital statistic please! :-D

Completely OUT OF CONTROL, God, please help them, they don't know, what they're doing!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gordana...you haven't been involved in this so kindly go away and stop stoking it up again. I know this is your forte....to stoke things up. But really...you add NOTHING to the discussion.

I bet you did not reveal to your professor the context in which you use the word simian. You used the word in reference to and right after the post of torres describing rafa as ape-like.
So if we take you word separately, it might sound complimentary. Not if we place it in context of the torres post.

Who you are to tell me what to do, you 'smarty one', just to remind you, the title of this blog is Nadal, Murray and Djokovic impress in Monte Carlo, so I'm more than interested to participate and give my comments on your 'exposure', what do you think, you're the smartest on the world, you should go away and try to find someone who can stand such an attitude, and listen your empty stories all the time, I've had enough from you, talking on the tennis site about mythology, philosophy and other mystical things it's not suitable at all, we don't need your lectures, so stop talking and be antagonistic with others, better for you to be focused on your loving one, who's going to lose very soon, most probably from Stepanek, have you got it, hope you have, but have a doubt...

malteser1 I got a "little" curious with all this fuss about Simian, and the professors' comments and all, so I looked it up. Apart from the usual definition I found "Simian" were an English electronic rock band, best-known for their 2003 song "La Breeze" Sounds very funny to me when with the old attire (sleeve less top) Rafa could easily have passed for looking like an electronic rock band member of "Simian". Obviously it was not meant in this context, but we are just having fun aren't we?! The posts can get rather intense here at times. One way of looking at it is it can keep us from getting bored. Take good care malteser1 As I write this post, Roger is still having fun in Rome, and only Nadal and Djokovic are left to impress. Cheers Go Roger go!

Someone is obviously dealing with great agony.

Someone who's having difficulty in dicephering the difference between INSULT & COMPLIMENT in associating human looks/feature to other creature.

someone who's helpless trying to make a firm stand over a quicksand.

So unfortunate for those 4 Emeritus to have this PhD (apparently) pupil in that UNIVERSITY somewhere in UK :-]]

Why don't you give it a brake/rest Raindrop?! Being compared to an animal or a "creature" as you put it, does not have to be taken as an insult. In some circles it is considered a COMPLIMENT!

Yeah, sky, we did give it a rest, but your friend maltheser resurrected it by posting at
4/29/09 9:52 PM.
Now be a good girl/boy and offer your advice to your friend. Maybe she will listen to you.

Been quiet for the past 2 days but as you can see it clearly "someone just can't get over it"

We're talking here the looks in particular, so focus on it and disregard those circling loops to come up with better judgement whether it is an INSULT or COMPLIMENT.

And by the way, we are not that IDIOT, IGNORANT, ARSEHOLE, UNEDUCATED & DUMB (as this lady called us so often), to react to something clearly is a COMPLIMENT.

On the contrary rain, i love it when she calls me any of those things. It only goes to show that no amount of education can teach you right manners. Besides, what have i got to lose? I consider it an achievement that a guy who's not even to college, can make a phd wannabe stoop so low that it almost break her back.

COMPLIMENT ??? wait !!!

Is compliment similar to a piece of banana that you can offer anytime to simians, monkeys, apes, gorillas after you are having a good laugh due to their almost identical physical appearances?

COME ON SKY!

"phd wannabe stoop so low that it almost break her back"

LMFAO. poor aching back=head :-)

I know, I know that's why I said, it's so unfortunate for the 4 Emeritus.

I am not a college graduate too so I am having more excuses than her if I go crazy sometimes. Am I sound making excuses? lolz.

LMFAO. poor aching back=head :-)

I know what you meant rain, i know

Gordana Get lost.
Danny...now stop stalking me honey. You dumped me...remember?
Rain....seriously.....try to say something intelligent. I have made my case. I don't think that I know everything. My God. that is why I am studying! To become educated and learn more about life.
I am not going to repeat anything that I have said. I listen to my professors and when you say an alleged University in the UK. It's there. BRISTOL UNIVERSITY as are the professors. Names are given. Go contact them if you don't believe me but honestly guys. This is about you now not me. Rafa is a beautiful looking man. Manly, highly intelligent with dark brooding looks. If I said anything anti-rafa which I DID NOT. That came from other posters and not me. I know where I stand on this one. You don't. I don't say that in a negative way. You didn't understand because you aren't studying what I am but should you choose to, all the information you need, with the referencing is here for to look at and enjoy. That's the truth of it.

seems you can't get enough!

Once and for all, answer this Q: WHAT EXACTLY A SIMIAN LOOKS LIKE.

Raindrops....a SIMIAN looks Human. As I have said, I think now.....7 times? Anything else?

What? No tantrums and name calling this time? You're losing your touch malt.tsk tsk tsk

very good malteser1!!!

Now if simian looks human, and you stated before that "Rafa looked simian", THEREFORE Rafa in your eyes is not human, IS THAT CORRECT?

I expect an answer for this one malteser1, don't you dare skip it.

be careful your PhD is at stake !!!

Raindrops...am here...have been waiting for you all evening.....wouldn't miss it for the world. No. Honestly. You misread.....I will try and explain as best as I can...but am not sure whether you will believe me and thats obviously up to you. I am not answerable to you Raindrops and I wouldn't dare skip anything. But don't make demands on me...okay honey? my view....When torres posted what he said....and I won't repeat it here. I disagreed. Read my post. My understanding of Torres was that HE was being derogatory. I wasn't. I very clearly said that Rafa was ATTRACTIVE. I put that in capital letters. I associated Rafa with Simian because of his high intelligence, his 'man like' qualities, his dark, brooding good looks.....Simian is a very complimentary word because as humans we hold the highest intelligence of primates. We are all primates therefore we are all simian. Does this make sense to you? I really am not trying to insult your intelligence on this one. I am just relaying information that has been given to me by my professors as regard this word. I have never used in an uncomplimentary way. If you can see beyond the interpretation which you and others have made...then you may go some way to understanding where I was coming from? If not Raindrops, then quite frankly that isn't my problem.

Raindrops....have to go watch verdasco and gasquet now so if I don't get back to you straight away, this is the reason and NOT because I won't answer any further posts from you.

THE FIRST QUESTION STILL REMAIN HANGING OVER YOUR HEAD malteser1 ... due for an answer from you. That is very ELEMENTARY question.

>>>Look again at this conflicting statement of yours:

"""We are all primates therefore we are all simian."""
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
GRANTED that we are all simians, then why do you need to say RAFA LOOKED SIMIAN if you KNEW that he is simian? WHY? That's question #2

Malteser1 wrote: I am not answerable to you Raindrops and I wouldn't dare skip anything. But don't make demands on me...okay honey?
-------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
DEMAND is deemed necessary to EVERY PERSON who is having an issue in order to resolve it. Look at yourself, you always have the demand, asking few people to apologies. SO DO NOT CONTRADICT your very own game and use it as a scapegoat.

I THOUGHT THAT RAFA LOOKED SIMIAN, BUT THAT I FOUND THAT ATTRACTIVE...malteser1 , 4/27/09 7:25 PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
That's your complete statement regarding ATTRACTIVE ... if we look closely the 3 words "LOOKED SIMIAN, BUT" specially the word BUT, a solid conclusion that SIMIAN is an image that not belong to human.

I thought you said Human has the highest intelligence, and Rafa is human. So what compliment he'll ever get in your association of him with simian of which, according to the 4 respected Professors, is lower level with respect to human intelligence?

Whewwwwww Good Lord why like this very conflicting? Am I talking to a sound PhD student or what?

Got the feeling that you will not answer any of my question above, so my last word is, kindly extend my warmest regards to the 4 Professors of Bristol University in UK. They are lucky to have a simian student like you malteser1.

Thanks God, I am human.

danny and raindrops, you guys should come over to my place now for a glass of wine and talk about the clay season and Rafa's game :) I've left the front door unlocked. Make yourselves at home!

Raindrops....you misread.....When I said 'BUT' after 'Looked Simian'....BUT....you have read 'BUT' to mean an alternative. Not so. 'BUT' can also be used as an addition to what has been said before. Example: She is 18 years old today 'BUT' 19 years old tomorrow. Rafa is simian 'BUT' attractive. Does that make sense to you now?

Honestly, if you are not going to accept this or any of reference/research/Profs. names, there isn't really very much I can do about that, is there?

When you said I EXPECT....that is a demand. Quote.....'DEMAND is deemed necessary to EVERY PERSON who is having an issue in order to resolve it. Look at yourself, you always have the demand, asking few people to apologies. SO DO NOT CONTRADICT your very own game and use it as a scapegoat....unquote....

If everyone has an issue...you DON'T DEMAND things you REQUEST and hopefully RESOLVE. We are all to blame on this site for our responses, me included. But I am NOT going to apologise for something which I haven't done. You carry on with this Raindrops, but it is you who is being aggressive right now. You probably won't accept that nor my explanation. Couldn't care less. May be you should take up Remi's offer of a glass of wine? Danny.........you should go to. You know....have a BONDING session....

Are you two in love! I guess you are. You cannot hide it anymore. We've been watching ya for 180 posts! :-)

Now, get out of here, and do your love somewhere else. This is a tennis blog, ok?!!

edited for content

remi,

sorry to have missed your invitation, just got back for some fresh air.

universon,

there's no way in hell that i could love that woman! she's old enough to be my mother. besides, making love in a lab or an asylum is not my cup of tea.

When you look at Cheryl's article, the majority of it is STILL true now in Rome. Murray isn't as good a clay courter as some thought, Nole is playing better with lots of motivation, Rafa is still tearing the clay up and Roger is tweaking his game and might show us the Roger of old. Does that mean we should expect another Rafa-Nole final? Would be nice but, Rafa has to get thru Nando first and Nole has to get thru Roger too.

I've always been calm. Otherwise, I WOULD have degenerated my posts into name calling like you did malteser. I have been posting, just not on this thread since the talk returned to the discussion that Cheryl implicitly asked not to be discussed or that word used anymore regardless. I will never stop respecting the wishes of the administrators of this site. Even your buddy Universon got warned by an administrator and was amazing how quickly he backtracked. So go find him and call him the same names you call me for respecting Cheryl's request!

I guess malteser found it wrong also to try to get the discussion back to tennis.

Edit: Rafa got thru Nando. It will be some interesting semifinals here just like in MC.

In true, typical, sickening style, Fan4tennis.......I DID NOT BRING THIS UP AGAIN. BLOODY WELL GET IT RIGHT WILL YOU. That would be a FIRST. You really are the archetypal crazy woman F4T....I did not RESTART this. Raindrops and Danny did. Just bloody well look back at the posts will you woman. Danny even commented that I had not said anything for TWO DAYS! Why do YOU keep getting your information WRONG Fan4tennis...PLUS YOU? BEING CALM? That's a JOKE AND A HALF LADY. YOU were one of the MAIN CULPRITS on this post and you damn well know it. The fact of the matter is you wanted to come across as squeaky clean and YOU ARE NOT. You are P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C. I answered once again to RAINDROPS AND TO DANNY AND TO YOU BECAUSE YOU....Y-E-S- Y-O-U- Fan4T, kept going ON AND ON AND ON. YOU wouldn't drop it. You kept asking for further defintions because you cannot stand the TRUTH. You hate it don't you H-O-N-E-Y. You just hate the fact that you WERE WRONG. So before you start going on and on and on and on...ONCE AGAIN.....GET YOUR FACTS right. and as for 'respecting Cheryl's wishes. It was RAINDROPS that started this up again. He even did a smiley face saying it was only a joke Fan4 Tennis....cos he knew he was in the wrong. So don't ONCE AGAIN but the blame on me. You really are THE MOST uneducated woman. Please don't come across as all white and innocent now....If you had respected the wishes of an administrator, then you wouldn't have got involved in this in the first place. You really are a HYPOCRITE of the highest order. GET YOUR FACTS right before you start pointing he finger of blame again. It's raindrops you should be having your sanctimonious, motherly word with. How old are you for chrissake? 60?

this topic was very good to comment on.......nadal,murray,djokovic really did impress at mc!!!!!!!!!!! but it has been transformed into a personal battleground......give it a rest guys,tennis is more interesting right now!!!!!!!!!

vrael...I completely agree. I am happy to talk about tennis.......

vrael, I am trying to get it back to tennis and not discuss the other issue. Someone else refuses to. I can't get cheryl's email to work to complain about the constant character assassination from one poster so I will either do like Cheryl's new blog "Operation Ignore Nadal" and change it from Nadal to the other one or just leave this site permanently. I don't need to deal with the CONSTANT insults thrown at me.

I've asked the lot of you to please keep your comments from getting too personal and disrespectful. Not just the Federer fans. Not just the Nadal fans. ALL OF YOU. There is no need to be so nasty. Clean it up or I will do it for you.

cherylmurray , 4/29/09 1:24 AM

Please do so!!!!!

Just so everyone knows, I will be deleting all of the offensive posts in this thread. It is not fair to do this to what was supposed to be a discussion of Cheryl's blog.

Just to show some "seriousness" about the warning...... why not BAN those who started the HEATED arguments first... those who INTRODUCED that "offensive" word... and we'll see how this will calm the discussions.

fan4tennis....I have told you MANY times NOT to post me. Go away and once again just DROP the topic. It is YOU that has been the cause of this ongoing post, Raindrops and Danny.

Agree with fan4tennis. I think Nole is better on clay than Murray.

Danny no worries, you and raindrops are still invited (and all other Rafans :)

thanks remi just keep your door unlock and we'll just pop up anytime.

re: murray & nole, have they squared off on clay? I don't remember if they did. If so, who won it?

IMO, Nole is better than Murray on clay.

They played last year nole won pretty comfortably. But a lot changed with murray so I wouldnt say that match is any indication.

thanks orion...obviously I am a Rafan and focused mainly on Rafa lolz.

It strikes me as a shame Murray is set to move up to No.2 because Novak LOST to Rafa. That must be a bitter pill for him to swallow. Had Murray had gone further than Novak in Rome it might have been easier to accept. But hey ho, that's how the ranking system works. Rafa was in the same situation vis à vis Novak this time last year.