"picked nadal to win wimb last year"...yes he did pick rafa but why the hell does he hide that final pick!! i know 95% ppl are not aware of that..i also mentioned that in another blog a long time ago....when roger won his semi last year and nadal was due to play his semi..borg said sumthing like this "i initially picked rafa,but so far what i have seen ,i think the champion will defend his title because he is back on his game"..!!!!!! so his final pick was fderer aswell!!! lol......i am starting to feel hopeful abt nadal now...played sum decent ball wid murray i think..it ws 4-3 on serve before bad weather ruined the session!..go rafa go!! beat lleyton and stan in those exhibition matches!

Hope Borg prediction is correct like last year.

u know what ....i really dont give a damn what borg said ....i made up my mind about him last year when he did not pick fed ...and im stickin to it . I respect what he has done in tennis ...but his opinion does not mean much to me .

Fed to win ....i hope ....i pray ..i believe !!! ...one match at a time ...and we will get there . Fed will play without pressure and i hope he will fight through the tournament cos its really open . I guess borg did not learn this from RG .

anyways ...in roger i believe ..

WIMBY09....where we right the wrongs.
C'MON !!

Borg picked Federer to win the French Open last year too. :)

I'm with you, fedexfan. I hope, hope, hope Roger will bring home his 6th Wimbledon trophy and smash the record books, but I do not care one whit what Borg's opinions are.

Go Roger! You're still THE ONE!!

"Why Roger Federer won't win Wimbledon"

http://betting.betfair.com/tennis/wimbledon/the-betfair- contrarian-why-roger-federer-wont-win-wimbl-1-180609.html

read it already homos and it's a pile of c-r-a-p....strange that all your posts right now resemble the 'grim reaper'......

johan.......cheryl....(as you've responded).....to let you know that borg has also predicted murray and rafa? so am a bit confused by this opinion?

like fedex and rafterfan say...just predictions....EVERY PLAYER out there WANTS TO WIN......so C'MON! the fed! game by game....match by match.....visualise and go for the trophy!

Allez Federer!

Borg is a jackass. He says one thing one given day and then he says the otherwise the next day. He just go to where the wind goes.

I remember him saying that Federer should retire, and now he says he's the best ever. LOL. He's definitely a clown....

Hear, hear Emiliano55 LOL Borg would be better off keeping his mouth shut. This way he could conserve whatever respect he may have left. He was a good tennis Champ, but his crystal ball is way past retirement time! LOL

Hahaaaa, Emiliano55! LOL That is the truth! He changes story according to whom he thinks his audience might be...

He's kinda rockin' that pic tho

Some people say Borg has a strong mentality but he quit tennis when he lost to McEnroe.

Fed lost a couple of close matches to Rafa and bounced back by winning. Talk about character.

FED IS THE BEST!!

torres...that's the spirit buddy! great when you start talking like this!.......just been checking out what the craik is on opinion of wimby...am not looking at the ridiculos betting odds/betfair crap rubbish and am sure there are other articles out there on other tennis players...but torres...this is for you! of course it is just opinion....so for any of the rafa fans...just post one on your guy.....it's all good....!!!

Roger Federer remains the man to beat at Wimbledon, despite "not being the player he was", says former SW19 finalist Pat Rafter.

World number two Federer, fresh from a maiden triumph at the French Open, will be looking to win back the title he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal last year.

And Rafter told BBC Sport: "Federer is my tip to win but, saying that, he is not the player he was two years ago.

"He is hanging in there, trying to win another Slam and he loves Wimbledon."

Federer's success at Roland Garros ended the world number two's long wait to win the clay-court event and made him only the sixth man to win all four Grand Slams.

Coming on the back of his victory over Nadal in the final of the Madrid Open - also on clay - led some commentators to hint the Swiss is on his way back to the top of his game, having been knocked off the number one perch by his Spanish rival last year.

Those two have shared all but two Grand Slams between them for over four years.

I think it destiny for Federer to win his 15th title at Wimbledon

But two-time US Open champion Rafter insists it is only a matter of time before one of the emerging talents in the game, led by British number one Andy Murray, ends the pair's Slams supremacy.

"It's one of those things that someone will be ready sooner or later, and it will be interesting to see when that time comes for Andy," said the 36-year-old Australian.

"Right now, purely on reputation, Andy is just below Federer and Nadal. He may not totally have matured just yet and to win a Grand Slam you have to have absolute belief. Federer and Nadal have it, but does Andy?

"Whether it is this year or not, though, I'm sure somewhere in his career he'll win a couple of Grand Slams."

Nadal's epic five-set victory over Federer in last year's Wimbledon final ended the Swiss's five-year winning streak on Centre Court.


It will be interesting to see what his preparation is going to be like because, obviously, it will be very light; how will his knees hold up?

Pat Rafter
However, the Spaniard has struggled recently, despite winning the Australian Open in January.

He lost to Federer in the final of the Madrid Open, crashed out of the French Open at the fourth-round stage to Robin Soderling - his first ever defeat at Roland Garros - before pulling out of last week's Queen's tournament with knee trouble.

He has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation in a bid to be fit to defend his Wimbledon title since, but Rafter says the tournament could come around too soon for the world number one.

"We saw Rafael really struggle at the French Open - he never looked good from the get go," he said.

"It will be interesting to see what his preparation is going to be like because, obviously, it will be very light; how will his knees hold up?"

And could someone spring a surprise at this year's tournament?

"For me, you've got to have the top three in the world - Federer, Nadal and Murray - as clear favourites," said Rafter, a Wimbledon men's singles runner-up twice, losing to Pete Sampras in 2000 and then Goran Ivanisevic the following year in a epic five-set encounter.

"Outside of that you've got to look at someone like Andy Roddick to cause some upsets and maybe be there at the end.

"The guys you don't want to see anywhere near your section are the big serving Croatians.

"Novak Djokovic is another one who wants some sort of confirmation that he has another Grand Slam in him... but Federer is my favourite to win it at this stage."

C'MON!

Allez Federer!

I think this WImby is gonna be a whirlwind and Fed will make it to the semis at least but it's not gonna be straight forward. There will be a lot of banana skins. If Nadal dont play, the field will think, 'less one player to worry about'. I think this Wimby is gonna be like RG.

Fed's level has gone down, I agree. I watched his 2005-2007 matches where he is faster and full of confidence. Now he is not as quick and more error-prone. But sometimes the old Fed will show up like in USO final where he moved like a 20-yr-old.

borg retired becoz according to him he didnt feel motivated to play more!
I dont care abt borg...diasaster disaster for rafa!! lukd pretty slow during exhibition against hewitt ..lost 6-3 6-4!!! damn it....now wht do u have to say?? all those who said nadal was faking a knee injury and it ws all propaganda from the nadal camp?? thats a mighty blow for u ppl...he cudnt move swiftly in today's mtch..u mean to say he also did that voluntarily ..was it a plan frm uncle toni??? or u say he doesnt have the quality to even beat hewiit,forget beating only pushing him ??? m sooo worried...very unsure whether nadal wud play wimb or not!!!!

Vamosrafa

With the result today i cant see Nadal beating Warwinka tomorrow. If that is the case then i would want Nadal to forgo Wimbledon and just take a long rest and recuperate properly. As a fan i am not desperate if Nadal does or doesn't defend his title. If he does pull out i am a 100% behined him but i think that will hurt him more than the loss at RG. I guess us rafa fans were correct in being cautious then vamosrafa. Wouldnt want to get over excited and hopefull just to see it all dashed to bits and pieces. I was hoping he would come out guns blazing but it just goes to show that no one can understand the true nature of his problem just conjecture and speculation and how it will benefit us rafa fans to do either i do not know. As i am not and insider i hope Nadal has the right people helping and advising him on what the right decision is for him.

Vamos Rafa
We your fans will continue to support love and trust your decisions.

Vamosrafa, it's not a good sign when a 3 hr. practice w/ Murray goes well , not "perfect" tho, on a Wednesday and Rafa goes out on Thursday, unable to bend knees. Will he be all better on Friday? Even if he does move better against Wawrinka, how does it bode for the marathon ahead?

Really, it is better, I would think to know tomorrow than to get into wimby and prolong time Rafa can be rehab'ing. The tough hard courts are coming up. Even I have to worry more about Fed's back when playing hard court....certainly Rafa's knees take more beating, arguably on hard court.

But if Rafa could give it a rest for longer than he has in the past, can't help it but it's a better picture for the long run....tho the world #1 and his camp might have reason to disagree. I dunno, Vamosrafa. Try and take heart if Rafa needs more time, k.

thanks alot for ur consolation guys..m really depressed rite now....ur is always appreciated !! GOD help!! miracle needed

I know how you feel vamosrafa. Can only offer a prayer for whatever decision he makes tomorrow. I hate it when others doubt our faith in Rafa because we are worried about his knee. I only want his health and happiness first off. His tennis is just a bonus!

no too bothered about borgs comments....
Fed Express is ready for the task ahead,and its mission WIMBY GO GO GO!!!!!
Fed will be ready and raring to after conquering Madrid and the elusive FO...
Go Roger Go;
GO CHAMP!!!!!!!!

Borg tips Fed to win and than bets on Nadal :)

Rafael Nadal`s dilemma, of quiting his wimbledon trophy or not, is much more than that. I dont know if he can protect his ranking points from falling at the end of the tournament, but even if he can, there is to much at stake. If he chooses to quit, then he will loose 2000 points, very important points, because he never expected to get out roland garros so soon, he thought that maybe roland garros was for granted to him, an he lost 1820 point, plus the points that Federer earned, I belive 700, that puts him 2520 point closer to the second ranked player. If he quits wim 09, he will loose 2000 points, so fed will be at just 520 points from him... and hasnt even played, if Roger wins the tournament, he will get 700 points more, and regain number one. But then it will be psicologicly devadastating for Rafa, because, there will be 2 major tournaments and one minor in wich he didnt play, so he will fell like uninvited, like out of the picture, he will loos momentun, will loose the evolutionary wisdom that players get in their collective subconscious after every tournament is played. And then there is a lot of points that he has to defend in order to keep his number one. He will loose the olimpics points, remember that last year he had to win 32 straight matches to overcome Roger Federer, and then loose to Djokovic in Cincinnati I believe... so quiting Wim 09 is almost quiting number 1, and even maybe number 2... but playing Wim 09 is not lacking trouble. he has to play with sore knees fo sure. He has to play with a confidence leak that is bleeding every day from the day he lost in Madrid. He has to play with the fear of loosing in an early round, and what that would do to his mental structure. So... I believe that if is something serious, then he shall retire from the tournament, get the proper medical treatment and get ready for the tsunami that is coming into him...

Sorry to write again, but i have something more to add about the original subject of the forum. I didnt watch tennis untill two years ago, I knew that there were two guys named Sampras and Agassi, and then I heard about a guy named Federer, and a Nadal. Before that i was too young. But I dont believe that you can get to 20 straight semifinals ( 100 won matches) by geting worst , no way. If you are the top guy of a sport, eventually the others competitos will learn how to deal with you, they will build their games to mach yours, and maybe beat you. So if you want to be so consistent as to have that record, then you have to evolve, change tactics, stop doing what is not efective any more, and star doing something else. If you analyze Fed match against Nadal in Madrid, you see that Federer changed the tactic, he didnt get in Nadals game of devastating rallies, federer has one main column ( in my opinion) His serve, that does 50 % of the job (or more) and then he has the backhand slice, wich neutralize the oponents serve, converting a first serve, into a second one. And after that he has his amazing forehand, and i believe he does things that we for sure dont understand, because he is the guy who knows more about tennis in the whole world. So, maybe he is not as fast as he used to be, but he learn that and move to another level, a level were speed is not as necesary, so didnt ge worse, he evolved.

Nice work mdmch. Unbelievable that you only recently started following tennis. Since reading one of your posts in March, I thought you seemed to know Federer his game, and the fact that he was in transition then. He has evolved since hard court season, hasn't he. But I wonder...mdmch, how do you think he'll match up against Murray at Wimbledon? Do you think anyone can beat Federer? Do you have your eye on anyone as a dark horse?
I just love Federer's tennis and can't wait to watch what happens. 5 amazing wimbledons he has and to me, RF was born to rule the grass court! cheers, mdmch!

go Roger go!

mdmuch....not only that...but federer started to believe in himself more and his drop shot is such an important part of his game now.....he can hit a drop shot return from his opponent's FIRST SERVE.....and we are talking about a first serve from ANY opponent...firing at 222 kmh (soderling in F.O)...plus Roddick (fastest serve in tennis history)...what does that say about federer?

the smartest move that federer made started in madrid when he won 'the toss' and elected to r-e-c-e-i-v-e......AGAINST rafa....Federer has n-e-v-e-r done that before.....(always he has served when winning the toss)........Federer..this time had a ................g-a-m-e-p-l-a-n against rafa and he was ready to r-i-s-k his game by doing something d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t....bravo...roger!

Everyone knows that rafa has borderline 'ocd'.or 'over the top suspicions.'.........(it's just his mindset)....we all have it.....in a way...in differing degrees.....'he will take no more than 'x' no. of strides when he gets back to serving...(watch his next match)....he will put his water bottles face forward 45 degrees....he will do his sprint from the net to the serve position once the toss has been called......

Roger...by changing 'his' (roger's) mindset by NOT electing to serve when winning the toss.....sent conflicting signals to rafa's mindset from the outset....it was quite a clever strategy......

his game has evolved and he is paying more attention to his own game than ever before.... to accommodate the other players...to unhinge/upset their own...like EVERY other player on tour has sussed roger's weaknesses out....his backhand......so for all those people/critics who say that roger is not prepared to play a different game...is just bullshit....plain and simple.....

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

ive been reading around here for ages, but never really thought about posting since most of u write so much, i can never keep up LOL.

anyways, today rafa decides if he is going to compete in wimbledon this year or not, im a rafa fan, i hope it is not anything too serious, but whatever decision rafa makes, im sure it will be the right one.

i think though this year that federer will be reclaiming the wimbledon title, and the reasons why i think this way are because fed has now finally won the french open- the one slam that eluded him for 4, 5 years, now the pressure is well off his shoulders, he can relax, and he has alot of confidence in grand slams (20 consecutive grand slam SF is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G).

but ill also be keeping an eye out on andy murray, i think he can get quite far this year, maybe SF, some dark horses will be tommy haas (he has been playing very well lately), andy roddick i think will go quite far as well, novak djokovic (since noone talks about him much these days, he performs best when noone expects him to win), too bad baghdatis injured himself :(, i thought he would have been a real dark horse, and also lleyton hewitt (go aussie!!!), marat safin (i never imagined he would get to the SF last year, boy was i shocked to see him play fed in the SF).

It's bad that Nadal have to be in this state. I read a long article on Nadal about how U.Toni said that everytime he goes to RG, he's worried that he'll get beaten. 'I said to him 'you're the best on clay, dont worry' but he still doesnt relax' -Uncle Toni.

I think it's the nature of Nadal to give not 100% but 200% to win a match. I think it's an admirable attitude but it's a little too much and I know Nadal fans wants him to stay that way but I think he should be a lil relaxed. He is one of the greatest of all time already.

I have a feeling that Nadal wants to achieve perfection just like Fed but the way he does it is a lil too extreme. He could have skipped Barcelona or Madrid, he will still be no.1 and he would be 100% for RG but he didnt.

I admire him for his determination but you got to listen to your body sometimes.

mdmch, I still think Roger has declined a little. The best performance from him this year is against Delpo in my opinion where his errors are so minimal. From watching a lot of sports, an athlete who has gone old can still be competitive by having more tactical awareness and adding more skills.

Basketball: Kobe Bryant has become less explosive but now has developed a good playmaking ability and orchestrate his team so that every team member is being given a chance to shine and hence winning the recent NBA title

Football: Ryan Giggs is a step slower but compensate this by being the most level-headed player in crunch matches and makes better decisions with the ball when passing.

In Roger's case, he has lost a lil bit of energy but he adds more to his repertoire. All those years they say his repertoire is ridiculous already but I always thought that he didnt use the dropshot as much and also his net skills is not polished. A lot of players has gone down the aggresive baseliner route. Djoker, Murray is a clear example of this to emulate Roger and Rafa.

Therefore, by perfecting the dropshot and serve-and volley game, Fed can use this to win matches against baseliners. Martina Hingis can still beat Maria Sharpova by using great change of pace and drop shots and we all know how weak Hingis serve is.

vamosrafa:
I prefectly understand your worry for Rafa,specially your annoyance from some ppl who say the knee injury was fake...I don't think we have any ten year old kid on ATP tour who tries to find an excuse as soon as he loses(which is probably what some ppl think about players). and it's not normal that he lost to Hewitt so it means he is having trouble...BUT I think this will teach sth to those Rafans who last year said roger was faking mono(oh God what a lie to come up with!!!) and they probably thought it was normal for roger to lose to fish,Stepanek and ...!!!!!!!maybe they decide to change thier minds because they are still talking about it. anyway I wish the best for Rafa and his decent fans,really want to see him in Wimbledon,back and ready!! I still think Rafa is a favorite,he might not crush opponents on the way,but 5setters help the top ranked players.GOOD LUCK!!!

Malt and Torres good morning...4:45 am here.
When does the Wawa v Rafa match go down?

lol niloofar...about a 10yr old...

I would have given birth to a cow, had I been on here last year when Rafans claimed mono was "fake!!!"

hey zoey....honey......it's 2.30 this afternoon (british mean time).....

from rafa's home page......

Rafa played an exhibition match yesterday afternnon against Lleyton Hewitt at the Hurlingham Club where he lost 6-4 6-3 and will play against Stanislas Wawrinka today at around 2:30pm (local time).

"I love to play at the Hurlingham Club. Today's match was a real test, as close to reality as it could get. I will come back and play again and then make my decision about playing at Wimbledon or not," said Rafa after the match.

After the encounter, Rafa will hold a press conference.

Many thanks.

cheers chick! Catch you later....draw for wimby is at 1.00pm.....

mwah!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Thanks Malty....could not take that crap over on other thread.

Love your post above. OCD, lol....mwah

zoey and fedfans....here is the draw..(with a bit of random chat!)

The draw is done and has pitted Rafa and Andy Murray as potential semi-final opponents. In Rafa?s quarter: Hewitt, Roddick, Ferrer, Davydenko, Tursunov, Berdych, and Stepanek. In Rafa?s half: Wawrinka, Blake, Simon, Safin, Gonzalez, and Murray. Not in Rafa?s half: Karlovic, Del Potro, Haas, Cilic, Robredo, Schuettler, Lopez, Verdasco, Tsonga, Soderling, Djokovic, and, of course, Federer.

So, now we just wait for Rafa?s decision on whether or not he?s going to play. That is scheduled to come via a press conference after today?s exhibition.

As it happened blatherings

*blink blink* It?s how early? And I?m up why? Oh yeah. Wimbledon draw. Why isn?t the draw ceremony on Wimbledon Radio? And, since it isn?t, why am I up so early? First bit of interesting news via the Wimbledon site and/or twitter feed:

10:05 - Rafael Nadal has been drawn in the same half of the draw as Andy Murray, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are the other half of the draw.

Well, at least Andy won?t want to kill Rafa if he pulls out now. I admit that I was wondering if they were talking about that during their hitting session this week.

Next interesting bit:

10:07 - Rafael Nadal?s first match of Wimbledon will be against Arnaud Clement of France. He could play Lleyton Hewitt in the second round.

Hey. malteser1
fed won French when Rafa was not well.......
So technically, he did not defeat Rafa ..
It was not a true win....
Even if fed wins Wimbledon in2009, he would not be the gr8test even....

jaskarans:
u mean any player who won the FO in tennis history and did not defeat Rafa ,did not 'truely' win??????I see...
then we should have been sore losers for last year Wimbledon...Rafa did not 'truely' win because roger was not at his best(according to your law!!) and from this moment nobody's win will be a 'true' win because Fed is already past the hill!!!!! how does these sound to u?!?

haha.... jaskarans, 6/19/09 3:40 PM
"fed won French when Rafa was not well.......
So technically, he did not defeat Rafa .."

Im was laughing till stomach hurts...... looks like now he was not well for RG09 now....hahaha .... and the fact you made that comment about rog when rafa did not even play him cos he lost in the 4th round is astonishing .

jaskarans....14 GS's .....the tennis greats have labelled him GOAT ...i really dont think your 2 cents worth of comment carries much weight in comparison to them . You have a right to voice it ....and im exercising my right to voice mine. Its one thing to wish Rafa to get better ( which is what the topic is about) ....its another thing to take away a win fed has work so hard for .

WIMBY09 ...where we right the wrongs
C'MON !!

opps ...when i said "which is what the topic is about" i meant the last few posts before mine ..

btw ...niloofar ...i guess ur right ...its that ur logics jaskaran .....maybe i can live with that ....or is fed the only exception to the rule ..haha


C'MON !!!

jaskarans...haven't seen your name here before...so welcome to the site....with all the fedfans am sure...and all the rafa fans expressing their gratitude for your comment.....of course you are entitled to your opinion....

as you addressed it to me (i don't know why?)...i will answer you......

I take it you are not a tennis fan as your comment is about as insightful as a piece of celery................green...and hollow......

you are right about one thing tho' fed didn't defeat rafa in the French Open...that's because rafa was beaten fair and square by a better player...soderling...ON THE DAY....tennis is a game of inches as you know? (oh...perhaps you don't?)...well there's something you've learnt from a novice.....(me)...

I tend to agree with niloofar actually and also fedexfan...well informed, objective, interesting fedfans.....who write insightful posts.....so if i could refer you to what they say...it would help me not having to retype what they've said.....as there is just not enough time (or space..**malty chuckling to herself**).....i won't list fed's accomplishments because true tennis fans know what these are.....also perhaps you wanna read some of the GOAT's expressions for fed...in case you don't know what GOAT means (Greatest of all Time)....examples of players....well....Rod Laver, Pete Sampras...Andre Agassi...John McEnroe...Bjorn Borg...oooohhhh...so many to mention.....

there's also another unintended/intended (?) mistake.....when you say....'if' fed wins wimbledon....

I think you meant to say...'when?'
Enjoy your evening Jas
Cheers Fedfans!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Zoey I`d like to answer your question... YES i believe Roger can win Wim 09, First of all, he is the best grass player who is actually playing. He would have had 66 or so wining streak on grass if it wasnt for the defeat to Nadal last year when Rafa had to play until a ninth game on the fifth set to take the crown. But most importtant... Roger knows thats this is his best chance not only to reclaim his title but also to regain the number one ranking, that he does want to reclaim. This is the best scenario for him, and a totally different one from last years: He is getting into the tournament with a two title in a row record, the first, a Master series event wich he hasnt won in almost 2 years, and better, in clay against Nadal, and after that he not only reaches his fourth straight Roland Garros Final, but he wins it, and ties all time record, with a added value of being also a career grand slam. So he comes into Wim 09 undefeated for two tournaments in a row, having improved his record against Nadal after 5 matches lost, having gathered his pace again, feeling comfortable again, with a high moral and big motivation, and with new and devastating weapons, like the drop shots, Because as Malt 1 said, no body is really giving much importance to the drop shots, but those are lethal weapons, when he can do those from all around the court forehand and back hand, I guess that on grass where the ball bounces less they will be even more devastating.
There is also the other thing... The GOAT issue.. He is only 27 and healthy, i remember that he said: "am i the greatest of all time? ... we dont know yet", for me that means that he is not happy with what he have achieved already, he might be feeling a litlee relaxed, but not yet totally happy, he doesnt want to be the greates of all of those that went by, he also want to the greates of those who are coming in the future, so he wants to accumulate the larger number of records that he can, in the rest of his career, He is not relaxed at all, he wants more, and if he wants to reclaim the number 1 position which I belive he will, he has to win Wimbledon and the next tournament, and the next.. like Rafa did last year.
In the other hand, there is Rafa, Murray, and Nole. And all of those hidden soderlings who also want their piece of the cake. Rafa is (in my opinion) in a mental maze... all this doubst are starting to build up his head, is my knee ok?, Will i loose before the final?, will I be able to beat roger again? will I be able to beat murray?. Because the main proble in his head ( in my speculative opinion) is that he lost so many points in Roland Garros. but I dont know if rafa will play or not, I belive he shouldnt.
Murray is not ready to beat Federer on a grand slam final. Because Federer is a Grand Slam animal, he is not as consistent in 2 out of 3 tournaments as he is on the best 3 out of 5. Because he feel he has space to manouver. So Like the US open 08 if they meet on the final, Roger wont choke like he has done on his defeats.
And to Torres9, I agree with you that there is an apparent decline in his athletic abilities, but he compensate them by chosing other weapons, so at the end, the result is the same or even better, because of his consistency

yep...guys...am really sorry to say that Rafa is NOT playing......

Jacquie Baltro has just confirmed that she has had an interview with Rafa and he has said he has been advised by his doctor...(if he wants to stay in the game of tennis for the future) then his advice would be to forego this tournament and rest...rest...rest.....if he doesn't he will jeopardise his whole tennis career.....

whilst he said that he felt okay whilst playing the exhibitions...he could not risk the rest of his tennis career.....'it is with regret that i go home to majorca tonight'.......

rafa fans........dreadful news for you....(and for fedfans....100%)..

Cheers rafafans....
and fan4tennis... do NOT come on this post spouting 'I told you so'...this has got NOTHING to do with YOUR comments whatsoever.....it is the DOCTOR's ADVICE.....

it is the right decision for rafa for the longevity of his career......

ESPN article: No. 1 Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal won't play in Wimbledon this year as he continues to battle knee soreness.



Nadal

"I'm better than I was a few weeks ago, and I just don't feel ready," he said in Spanish Friday at a news conference.

Nadal dropped his third straight match Friday, an exhibition loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in London.

"I don't feel 100 percent to play in two weeks," he said.

Nadal also lost an exhibition Thursday to Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets in the world No. 1's first match since falling to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.

Nadal has struggled with knee problems for months and missed last year's Davis Cup final after he was diagnosed with tendinitis in November.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

rafafans...take heart....he is young, massively talented...he needs the rest...this is rafa's game....he has hardly missed any tennis tournaments...always playing full pelt, full on tennis....this is his time now to rest...to come back and play 100%...your champ will be back...if he did not take this decision now...that would be the end of his career...so whilst you are sad..remember that in 2 months time he is gonna be the 'freshest player out there'......

all the best..

I think it was a very good decition by Rafa, and very mature as well, he should look at the future, he will have the chance to shine again for sure, in the meantime he should focus to get well and fully recovered, and maybe improve some things of his game so it wont be so harmfull to his knees, I wish him the best, and i dont think that Wim 09 will be the same without him... I express my sorrow to all rafans!

I think Fed will definitely be giving 100% to win this. Murray must really adjust to the new condition and the crowd support. Djoker needs to step up. Roddick might have a say here and also so many dangers awaits for Fed. Delpo is there and wants revenge.

Rafa will probably be gunning for USO after this to complete his career Grand Slam. I think he can do it as he will be fresher than the previous years but of course it is where Djoker and Murray plays their best tennis.

Thanks for answering in so much detail, mdmch. I really enjoy your posts. Roger has even more work cut out for himself now with Rafa out is what I think. He's gonna need to be sharp and have the drop shot, service game, backhand and forehand...all weapons cos now it's another free for all, like RG....everybody is going to believe this Wimby is for the taking!

Cheers....back to work for me.
Mwah! Malt, sky, fellow federites

Rafans...sorry, but I was hoping Rafa would give his knees longer time to rest ever since his statements in pressor after RG loss. This time has to be extremely difficult emotionally for him too.

I think Del Potro will take Rafa`s place on the draw, so he should meet Murray in Semi finals. djokovic has the talent to be great, but he has to learn to manage it, he has an attitude problem, and if he doesnt fix it, I think Del Potro will overthrow him: This is may be a chance for him to grow up. But I agree that Fed will be giving a 1000% to win this, It is the perfect scenario for him.

Have you guys read this article?

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1905217,0 0.html

Absolutely wonderfully written piece about the greatest tennis player of all time. :)

-Arvis

-Arvis...

thanks for that..I have just read it....i have copied an extract from it for fedfans to read about what roger did for blake...it made me quite emotional actually......

Arvis...separately...thank you for the 'youtube vid you posted earlier...hilarious..made my day...'

cheers fedfans!

In his genial but refined way, Federer has spent a career making the extremely difficult look easy, whether it be winning tennis matches or the admiration of fellow athletes. In 2004, when Blake broke his neck during a practice session at a tournament in Rome, the American ended up alone in a hospital, cared for by people speaking a language he didn't understand. The one note of support from a fellow player he received came from Federer. "I had only played him two or three times," Blake says. "But he was thinking of me, and knowing I was alone. He's not only the greatest player, he's the greatest champion this sport could hope for."

zoey and sky....(the above was for YOU in particular!)...mwah!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

zoey...this is for you and cheer up about topdog....not worth worrying about...you are a G-E-M homegirl!!!! Go:Roger:Go Allez...Allez...Allez.....

Federer will enter the grass court major having won an astonishing 129 of his past 135 grand slam matches.

Relieved by having equalled Pete Sampras's 14 grand slam titles with his career-defining French Open triumph this month - none are more mind-blowing than six measly defeats in 20 majors over the past five years.

The 27-year-old's unprecedented show of consistency and excellence has left even Sampras in awe.

"What he's done over the past five years has never, ever been done - and probably will never, ever happen again,'' the American acknowledged after Federer's Roland Garros breakthrough.

"Now that Roger has won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion.''

C'MON!
Allez Roger!

No problem, Malty. =)

-Arvis

The Blake thing is a really nice gesture from him. I havent heard of that story before.

Thanks again Arvis for the GREAT article! Loved IT! and thank you Malty, and zoey for your thoughts! :)

Truly shocking news about Rafa! I want to blame MANAGEMENT but I realize it's more than likely NADAL's way. He would not, could not believe his pain/knee problem would come to this (no one could/would believe it). He did not want to disappoint..., he played, and played, it seems none stop...! Now this! Of course he is making the right decision no question about it. Unfortunately for now Wimbledon is the price being paid. Unfortunately we will miss Nadal! We will miss Nadal's challenge at Wimbledon. We can only hope he will be ready to come back soon... healthy and happy. On the other hand, there was "NEVER" any question in my mind that "Roger Federer" will WIN Wimbledon 2009!!! One game at a time. C'MON Roger!!! Go FED go! MAKE IT HAPPEN! Bring it ON Murray and the OTHERS...! Bring it ON MAM!!! Roger is SHARPNESS! NOT going to be anything but the WINNER this year at Wimbledon! YES WAY!!! Right On Roger! You ROCK!!! Go Rog go... :)


Mwah! Malt, Zoey, Fedexfan, mdmch, fellow federites... Wishing you all "Love and Peace" throughout Wimbledon, and beyond... "AMAZING" continued success for our FED! :)

LOL opps! Was meant to be "Bring it ON MAN!!!! " (OK?!) LOL Go Roger go... Go Roger go!!!! Go Roger go! Your the ONE! Fedexfan, roger will have to Right the wrongs without Rafa (unfortunatley) this time.

morning sky...how are you?......well...even tho' this wimby is gonna miss the rafa.....we still got to spur our man on....Go:Roger:Go......

this is still gonna be an exciting tourny with a tough draw for Roger.....blown wide open in rafa's side of the draw....(really similar to the French Open...) everyone will again think they have a shot at the title...gonna make for a great competition!

C'MON! the fed!

Allez Federer!

sky...zoey...will catch you guys later.......

there'l be no top seed going into wimby as a result of rafa's withdrawal......these are the rankings as they currently stand.....i think that rafa's withdrawal...means that he loses 2000 points....(correct me if i am wrong people)......i don't know whether there is some speculation that he can protect any due to injury? I don't think so tho'.....

Ricky/cheryl will no doubt confirm.....

Men's tennis world rankings as of 09/06/09 (May 25 rankings in brackets):

1. (1) Rafael Nadal (Spain) 13140 points

2. (2) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 11070

3. (3) Andy Murray (Britain) 9230

4. (4) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 8020

5. (5) Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) 5480

Malt! Rafa not playing after all! Del Potro I hear is going to be pulled in. I expect it will be a roller coaster ride like fedexman says. I'm predicting "Our" FED is going to continue to IMPRESS. He has the EXPERIENCE. He has the HEART! He has the WINNING ways. It's in his BLOOD! These tournaments are never easy, but I EXPECT great matches from "our" FED (Roger). Remember all he has to do is WIN! LOL :) One game at a time...

Hi zoey! Are you ready for the roller coaster RIDE?! Mwah! Mwah! LOL Go FED go! C'MON!

Sky , Malt , zoey ...hello hello.

I am dissapointed with the pullout but i guess its for the best when you think of it in terms of the long run .

I heard the draw was out . im repeating my same rituals as I did during the french open as I am hoping for a repeat of it come the finals ! I know fed is gona put up a show for us like he did in RG09 ...im just getting prepared for that ...no one can be taken for granted .i cant wait ..."one match at a time " :)
I hear his side of the draw is tough ...i think that is good . it'll prepare him for the greatest moment in his career ....and the greatest moment on most of our lives probably :P hehehe

yes , sky ...WIBMY 09 ..where we right the wrong ( the statement is all about the FedExpress ! ) .
Unite federites !! ..

C'MON !!!

hey fedexfan buddy........

am sure you know this anyway...so that is for all fedfans......as a result of rafa's withdrawal.....del po has now been moved to nadal's side of the draw.....federer will be opening proceedings on Monday now at 12.30pm...'kick off' time!

So the bottom half of the draw are now starting first......before the ladies matches as well.....so stand by your TV's/Radios at work guys....

I'll be travelling down to London and gonna keep in high spirits wishing that i see fed on tuesday at a practice court somewhere? I had thought he was starting Tuesday..but obviously now he will be opening proceedings on monday...so all change.....

there is a huge 12 page pull out in the independent for wimby guys...any of you that live in the UK.....am just about to read and gen up on what's going on....

One suggestion to all fedfans.....already homos is kicking off on another thread...accusing me in particular (what's his problem?)...of being a hypocrite with nadal....utter rubbish....no doubt the usual fed haters will be out there as from monday....so ignore...ignore....ignore.....

stay tight fedfans....and get ready...
love n' stuff!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Roger Federer's match against Yen-Hsun Lu will be the first on Centre Court at Wimbledon this year following the withdrawal of Rafael Nadal.

The defending champion traditionally opens proceedings on the first day, but Nadal has been forced to withdraw with tendinitis.

Championship officials have therefore decided to play the bottom half of the men's and women's singles on Monday. That means third seed Andy Murray will have to wait until Tuesday to begin his quest to become the first British winner of the men's singles since 1936.

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Mwah! Opening match (Monday June 22) Centre Court Roger Federer v Yen-Hsun Lu. Mwah! :) Get READY Malt!!! GET READY ZOEY!!! GET READY FEDEXMAN!!! GET READY MDMCH!!! GET READY RAFTERFAN!!! GET READY BOSS!!! ARVIS, torres, max, niloofar, janhavi, scarbo! FEDERITES Unite!!! LOL :)
Go FED Go!!! Aller Roger aller!!!

fedfans...you know who you are! here's an excerpt from an exclusive interview with Neil Harman, tennis correspondent in The Times.....with T-H-E- F-E-D!......it's all good......go:roger:go!

He is about to become a father, which excites him immensely. No one ? bar the couple and their closest family ? knows when Mirka is due, but we understand that it is within the month. And so what if . . .

?We actually haven?t talked about it,? Federer says. ?We have not announced the date, but let us just say . . . well, it?s Mirka?s decision. I know she would say, ?You go and play and join me later.? I want to be there, of course. We will juggle it as well as we can. At the moment she is doing just fine, I am there to support her. She?s doing great, we are very happy.

?People ask me what is next and it?s a fair question. Today, my love of the game is so strong that I?m not worried about motivation, I actually think having a child will motivate me more. I would like to play for many more years and that is Mirka?s wish as well. What has happened in this pregnancy has opened my mind, that is nice.

?I have come back again to Wimbledon to start from scratch. What happened last year is gone, it doesn?t matter. It was logical to lose one day and Rafa deserved it, absolutely. I am honoured, proud and excited to be back. I have come back to win. I need a good result to satisfy my needs.?

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

sorry..guys...am on a roll......before i have to go out for an hour or so......

federer's draw......

Federer will be trying to be make history in London by winning a record-setting 15th major championship and sixth Wimbledon title in seven years. With Nadal out of the equation, the Swiss star clearly won't be intimidated by anyone else left in the field. Before falling to Nadal in the championship match last year, Federer's last loss in London came in 2002.

Federer takes on Yen-Hsun Lu in his first-round match ............................

and could see Robin Soderling in the fourth round in a rematch of the Roland Garros singles final. If the seedings hold....................

Federer's potential opponents in the quarterfinals are seventh-seed Fernando Verdasco or the No. 9 seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

While Soderling's brilliant performance demonstrated once more that anything is possible on a tennis court, it's unlikely that Federer will allow the chance of a historic win to elude him.


Guys....'only' 7 matches to play!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

It was typical of the man that after he won the French Open this month, ­Federer sent messages to the people who had kept faith in him. The one to Lundgren said: Thank you for always having belief in me. It was heartfelt, for even with 13 grand slam titles behind him,

Federer had entered Paris more than a little ­uncertain. He had lost to Nadal in the Australian Open final in February, as well as Wimbledon last year in that five-set final reckoned by many, including John McEnroe, to be the greatest of all time. Yet even McEnroe was having his doubts in the first week of the French Open. "Roger had four of the ­greatest years in the history of modern tennis and after that there is only one place to go," he said. " You gotta go down."

The comment was made before Nadal lost to Sweden's Robin Soderling in the fourth round in Paris. Free of the Spaniard's ­shackles, and with the Roland Garros crowds willing him on, Federer joined Laver, Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four grand slam events, while at the same time equalling Pete Sampras's record of 14 majors. If this was decline, the word obviously needed redefining.

"I think he could now go on and win another five or six slams, and he is obviously the overwhelming favourite to win Wimbledon and beat Pete's record," Lundgren said.

Federer is sometimes accused of arrogance, which is to misread his character.

Few champions are shrinking violets. They know their worth, although as a career unfolds there is a tendency to be in denial of the years. In tennis the most productive period for men is usually between 22 and 27. Those who win titles after that are few and far between. Federer will be 28 in August. "People talked a lot about me having lost my grip and stuff," he said.

"To some degree I guess it's true, because I lost my No1 ranking, but I didn't fall out of the top 10 or the top 100. I still played very consistent, especially at grand slam level. I had issues last year, and people sometimes don't give you time to actually let them heal or for you to figure them out."

Glandular fever and a lingering back problem, which affected his serve, played a part in his struggles, though fundamentally it was Nadal who preyed on his mind. And this is what makes Wimbledon 2009 so fascinating. Has winning the French Open, albeit in Nadal's absence from the fourth round, so cleared Federer's mind that he will regain his splendour on the grass?

"I have always believed in my chances to win any grand slam," he said. "Tennis is not for ever; I know that. But I'll try to enjoy it as long as I can."

Beating Sampras's record at Wimbledon would clearly give Federer immense satisfaction. "I don't know if we'll ever know who was the greatest of all time, but I'm definitely happy to be right up there, that's for sure," he said.

"I'm not addicted to beating all possible records, though I'm very proud of them. But I think my career should be judged at the very end.

Then it's for other people to decide."

Many have already decided.

Simply, the best.

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Wow Malt! WOW! ABSOLUTELY! UNDENIABLE! BEAUTIFUL!!! GO FED GO!!! C'MON!!! :))

Roger Federer believes Andy Murray is up "where he belongs" as the world number two and three prepare for a possible Wimbledon showdown.

Murray is one of the few players with a winning record against Federer, leading their head-to-head clashes 6-2, including victory in their last four meetings.

Such impressive statistics led John McEnroe to claim this week that Murray "has got into Roger's head pretty good recently", and Murray takes great confidence from those four straight victories against the 14-time grand slam winner.

With defending champion Rafael Nadal forced to pull out of the championships through injury, Federer and Murray are now seeded to meet each other in the final at the All England Club on July 5.

Federer would not be drawn on that possibility in his pre-tournament press conference on Saturday, and when asked if there was anything about Murray's game which irritated him, joked: "Just that he's very good.

"He's a very gifted player, he has wonderful feel. He's a great tactician. I always said that and he's finally proved it because it took him some time.

"That was the disappointing part, I thought, that it took him longer than I expected. I was wrong with my prediction because I expected him to do better a few years ago.

"But everything is coming together for him now and he's been rock solid for almost two years now. He's there where he belongs, absolutely."

Murray comes into Wimbledon on the back of his first tournament victory on grass in the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club, and reached the quarter-finals here last year before losing to Nadal.

And Federer believes the signs are good that the Scot can cope with the enormous pressure of attempting to become the first British winner of the men's singles since 1936.

"Time will tell really," Federer added. "It seems like he handled it well last year. Again, he handled it well in Queen's, so it seems like it's going to be okay for him."

As for Federer himself, the Swiss star admits the pressure is off after claiming his first French Open title earlier this month.

The 27-year-old became only the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam and also equalled Pete Sampras' record of 14 major titles with victory over Robin Soderling in the final at Roland Garros.

"There's a lot of weight off my shoulders since Paris," Federer said. "I'm entering tournaments a little bit more relaxed these days.

"I was mentally drained because I felt like I had to play four finals at the end of Paris because of the pressure.

"The focus now is on the first round and the first point, but (also) trying to regain my Wimbledon crown stands over trying to beat Pete's record right now.

"But I guess once I come down to the semi-finals or finals, hopefully, that's also going to start creeping into my mind."

Federer has contested the last three Wimbledon finals with Nadal, winning the first two but most memorably losing in five sets last year in an epic contest which finished in near darkness on Centre Court.

The former world number one insists he is disappointed that Nadal is absent this year, but is looking forward to playing under the new Centre Court roof, which will ensure not such a late finish as 12 months ago.

"I'd love to play Rafa, he's my main rival. We've had some wonderful matches over the years, and especially the one here last year was the one that obviously stands out," Federer added.

"The fact we can't potentially repeat that is obviously sad, but it just shows me how lucky I've been that I haven't been injured over all these years.

"I'm sad for him, because it must have been a very difficult decision to make."

As for the roof, the five-time Wimbledon champion added: "I'm not going to say it makes the atmosphere better, but it might be more intimate because the sound will stay within the stadium.

"I'd love to play under it. I've played in Halle where they've also got the sliding roof (over a grass court) and it worked very well.

"They even had to close it once during the final. We stayed on court, they shut the roof and we continued on. Then the big rain came. The atmosphere remained great.

"I went to see Centre Court the other day. It still remains the best court in the world and I'm excited to go out there on Monday."

The defending champion traditionally opens proceedings on the first day, but with Nadal ruled out, championship officials have decided to play the bottom half of the men's and women's singles on Monday.

That means Federer will open proceedings against Yen-Hsun Lu.

...sky...do you know what really pisses me off? it's when the media wanna twist things when roger is supposed to not say anything good about murray...it's just crap! anyway...thought fedfans would like to read this......catch you later guys....enjoy!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Arvis...Arvis...LOVED it!! thank u for the wonderful link!!
excited for wimby..!.the only sad thing is rafa's pulling out...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6069789.ece


hey ROGERIANS............ .........hope u have not read this one.......very touchy n emotional !!!!!


Go Roger Go.............

Greetings fellow federites. Woohooo! Fedexpress is about to roll!

Malteser, you keep my spirits up, up and now convinced that u r a human dynamo, nuclear powered...and thank-you for posting all the articles. Now I can be lazy...no need to go on the hunt for RF news with you on the job.

Arvis...thanks, man.

This Wimbledon is going to be Great! Every tennis star, young, old will seize this opportunity with the world #1 injured. Standing where we are, it's a long way up to reach the Final or semi, #21 awaits.....one step, one match at a time to the chance of making this where we right the wrongs, fedexfan , sky, all federites!

mwah! we stick together, k

Hi zoey...chick....

well..now that fed is playing his first match on monday....after all change at the bottom half of the draw...the mens draw now playing first....my tickets are for tuesday! so will i see federer? perhaps on the practice courts...who knows? but i wasn't expecting this! Ah well..will just have to wait and see....

will catch you tomorrow honey....

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

zoey!!! I just love this Mwah call! LOL It sounds like some North American Indian WAR cry of HEROES!!! LOL I'm going out in a moment but I just had to get that OFF my chest! LOL :) C'MON ROGER!!! Let's Right the Wrongs! CHEERS FEDfans!! Mwah!!! Mwah!!! :) C'MON

mwah! sky, babee....soo good to read your cheerful posts!
and Malt....you the best....girrrrrrl power! chick

will you see Federer? ohhh i dunno, but wishing i could go with you....wow....have you checked out RF's website? The green for wimby backgound, is nice but Roger's new pic .....malt...he looks sooo healthy, content and happy.....best he has looked in a long time! check it.
Wearing a white jacket with orange detail.

Last year he looked sallow and worn out; with a carbuncle or boil, something needing an incision on his
cheek.

Just hope he is not too content....c'mon Feddy!!

wimby 2009, where we right the wrongs....

Mwah! sky

One thing about Borg is that he himself skipped a lot of Grand Slams. I think though during that time Grand Slams were not always that important as they are today in the latest tie-breaker era. Just a thought though. What if there were current tie-breakers then?

sky....'mwah!'...is a 'kiss' honey...just do the movement with your mouth and see what comes out! mwah! mwah! mwah!....see?

zoey! mornin' how you feeling with all the tension build up?! God so much sport in UK right now...we have formula 1 today (do you watch)....teves is leaving Man U?! unbelievable! rafa making the front page of all the sports papers.....we have fan4tennis...this IS breaking news...slagging off all fedfans sayin that WE have offered no support to rafa.....pure propaganda...but hardly surprising.....just makes me wonder what it is she wants from us? I mean zoey...you live in Idaho.....not sure where she does...do you think you could track her down and knock on her door and just ask her why she does this? ....and then horror of all horrors i see agf blowing a gasket on chr18....saying how despicable he is for dissin' the rafa...and yet we have that from him (agf) all the time? I don't get it.....so much duplicity on this site...many posters with many faces.......

ah well...as fedex said...we need to regroup..and just get on with the job now...i don't want to be talking about the rafa anymore....(what more can be said?) there are only so many articles/condolescences that can be given? right?

so...will catch you later....enjoy your night.....have to get on with the day now....
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

well put malt ...
i agree .....i think that federites need to refocus again the way we did during RG09 . It was so exciting . Every match was taken as though it would be the last one ...so much importance put on every point ...ahhh ...fun times ....

Here we go again !

I was looking at a lot of photos of fed on practicing on the grass court on Facebook ...he so looks like he belongs there ...it just fits . I cant wait for him to come out on center court ! Im already all geared up emotionally .
I feel all the 'young ones' all out for blood ...its scary ...but we trust in fed dont we ? :) Fed train rolling into round 1 of WIMBY 09 ....last stop ...record breaking #15 !

WIMBO09 ...where we right the wrong .
C'MON !!

fedexfan...am gonna try and catch the early part of the match...but will be travelling down to London around 1pm...so won't be able to participate in the 'game on' so much...but absolutely 100% stay focused and visualise and keep zoey my home girl on track! she gotta stay focused and just ignore all the negative posters out there...cos trust they will be on to add their 'insincere thoughts' and let's face it...the list is long and not very pretty.......

so am gonna check out facebook now and see those photos!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

OK Malt. So I guess that would make Mwah sound like a North American Indian War cry of "LOVERS" instead! LOL the FED!!!! ThE FED!!! C'MON! Give it ALL who've GOT BABY!!! LOL :) Go FED go!!! Aller Roger aller!!! Cheers FEDfans!

malt ...the photos are on the wimbleton page ...not RF's ...
i'll do my best to keep zoey in check :)
sky ....need that same enthusiasm in you cos malt's gona disappear soon :P ...and if she meets roger i reckon that she'll somehow end up on the news hehehhe

C'MON !!

hey fedex...will try and stay here for as long as i can (for tomorrow)...so should be here for the first hour anyways.......but hey..you got zoey, sky, tnj,raftafan,niloofar....et al...so never fear! fedfans are here!

but...fedex....roger doesn't play tuesday now...its all change isn't it...so he plays tomorrow...i think the only way i see him is if he on the practice courts and i swing myself over the fence somehow in my bright blue dress..so that i catch his eye!

then may be i fall...a paramedic comes over and disrupts the practice session..and then roger comes over to see what all the fuss is about.....i then...shakily reach for my auto g book and ask in a very distressed voice if he could sign it...in case i die? how does that sound for drama?

well...feeling a bit like i did with Roland Garros...the tension building all over again....and then we have the US open in a matter of weeks....it's all good fedex...it's all good......remember the visualisation technique....
there are gonna be some brilliant players out there fedex...all out to get the trophy...just the same as in RG.....Go:Roger:Go!

Cheers fedfans!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

ROLF! sky and malt!!! I thought you knew mwah, sky! Still works, tho i dunno how having a 'Kiss' thread will go over with spoil sports an party poopers! Not a happy lot and wondering how long we must wear proper black. Al of us love Rafa, how can one not but geesh...this is tennis and 48 hours is plenty enough. I am not intending to bend over backwards so pity partiers can kick my arse, malt....it is enough.....they want us bending into a pretzel, apologizing all over and I have nothing, not one thing to apologize for....what did we do? I osseous edema so I could post a link and only Jyannis thanked me. My interest was genuine cos I am EMPATHETIC to injury and illness. Said a prayer with Vamosrafa...but that is not sufficient for FFT and her protege...no, they are out for something more....harass, humiliate, incite guilt if they can with their pitiful superiority complexes.

Was reading till barfed, and thought....this is tennis talk, they can jab at RF, snicker at his mono, back injury, outbursts of emotion and whatever.....that is okay....FFT will repost a post from monalisa which jabs at FED...I have no problem with differing opinions but to repost it!?

FFT is obnoxious, snide, rude.....stay away from me.....have had enough of you....most times the best tennis talk you can do is post articles, thanks for that but waht you do even better is whine poor me, complain, and throw yourself and a few creepy others pity party or
argue with fedfans. Maybe you shine when you hero is winning but shove off....if you can't enjoy wimby. But you'll probably stick around and catcall fed matches then claim you were simply cheering for his opponent....but...the difference between those who honestly cheer for an opponent and rudely cheer for a player to lose is perfectly clear. I don't even mind the lot of the usual fed haters as I know who they are now but you ALWAYS maintain your HOLINESS and righteousness and that part of your poster character is what imo is worse than the fed haters....DUPLICITOUS, prententious.

sorry about the negative post here malt but.....just at point of barf bag sick of it!!

This is a time to enjoy wimby 2009, each match.....FED is soo happy ( Not cos Rafa is injured, dopy Rafans, cos he is healthy, father to be, champ of RG) anyways, federites, I was watcing highlights of RG and oh does that serve look good, by the final....our man did shine...he is still shinning too. He may be preoccupied with content? Has every right to be. watch and see....he can do it, I believe malt, sky, fedexfan, all fedfans.

we stick together.....malt do not let that woman make you feel bad.....you always have supported Rafa but your support of him would never be enough for her...she wants to feed on grovel, hear groveling from fedfans daily, throw a pity party neverending....cos she is unhappy.....enough!

too right zoey babe....
enough is enough!
tomorrow is a new day....have just text my colleagues at work telling them when fed is playin'...they are all on 'standby'! it's just so great to be so passionate about tennis and to love it...

i love it zoey...i just love it...i too watched RG again last night...how many times?too many to mention! i have madrid to watch this eve...after visited some friends in an hour or so...so will catch you then.....

if you have a link to tv tuesday (have you sorted out your wimby channel yet?)..look out for me...bright blue check (sounds horrible...but really boho..hippy chick....maxi dress..it lovely!)....look out for me...will may be make/buy a poster for roger and wave it in the air...even if am watching another match tuesday..am soooo excited....

fedfans....cheer on...cheer our roger on to great things for wimby....i wonder what nike have sent him to wear...obviously white...but with a twist?....i didn't realise until recently that the sponsors T-E-L-L their players what to wear and they have to wear it.....ummmmm....let's see if he wearing something cool and classy tomorrow.....

zoey..am so excited...can hardly breathe!

C'MON!
Allez federer!

Hello FEDfans!!! Zoey, Malt, Fedexman and ALL FEDERITES! What a fun time for US in tennis! the FED is in great shape Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, "AND" Spiritually! WOW!!! He is READY! and we FEDfans are READY to cheer him ON till the END!!! He ROCKS! Wow!!! HE is the "ONE"!!! BRING it ON FED!!! Go FED go!!! Go FED go!!! LOL :) Cheers FEDfans! Cheers! :)

sky....i didn't get to see the match in full...it's on record for when i get back (so i can watch in full).......but will watch the highlights tonight..

Our fed has won! Yipppeeee! One down...Six to go!

how did he come onto court? was he aggressive from the start? would be good to see what you guys thought when he started the match! (this is so unusual for me not to be watching...am definitely having withdrawal symptoms!).

C'MON!

Allex federer! bring the magic to our screens again....!

Sorry Malt. I did not get to see the game either (bummer) :) I was not home to watch it in HD... Golf has taken over on the regular channel here, so no such luck for me at work today. But the FED WON!!!! Whoopee!!! I bought a new toy and will be recording in HD next time. C'MON Roger!!! Go FED go!!! :)

okay sky.....
i saw the highlights and it was an awesome match......so am gonna sign off for tonight now and get ready to be pumped for tomorrow...i will do what i can in terms of getting signatures for the fedfans....i am sitting near the practice courts so will get there fairly early and look around...i think tho' i may pass out if i see roger.....!

cheers sky! cheers zoey! keep the faith! zoey.....i am completely fully focused on the fed for the whole of this year (and beyond)...i read what you wrote re: the us open and you did right to take cover!!!! girlfriend! This is fed's year! he is awesome....he gonna be fine........!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Kols is the next for fed......fedfans...lets get ready for the fed game tomorrow.....
Go: Roger: Go......

C'MON!

and the fed wins!

C'MON! fed plays the sod on monday...zo...he has a great break over the weekend to rest.....all players...i understand...at the top and the bottom of the drawer all play on monday? so i hear.......makes sense i guess with them all then having a day's rest on tuesday and then replaying against wednesday.....

oooh....it's a great wimby for our fed!

zoey...are you feeling better today?

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

okay...fedfans...completely regrouped now....just ready for tomorrow....let the games begin! stay focused and keep the belief high...irrespective of what others might say during the match tomorrow......

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

good luck roger federer...and good luck devoted RF fans=)