Federer-Grass; Nadal-Clay. Deal or No Deal!
So jus a lil over a week ago the clay court season was approaching and I was panicking…sort of. Why? Well I am the dedicated Nadal fan. I love Federer but when it comes to Nadal on clay I’m sorry have to keep my priorities in order! So what Zar and I did about a year ago was to make a deal (which she tries to back track on from time to time…like during the clay court season) The deal applies to Federer vs Nadal matches; if played on grass Federer takes the win, when on clay its Nadal who has to win and any other surface is a toss up. So clay court season is back again and she still wants our tournaments.
Here’s a look at what took place in Monte Carlo through our eyes:
Well! The third ATP Masters Series tournament for 2007 began last Sunday April 15 which marked the beginning of the clay court season. Unfortunately, Guillermo Canas who pulled out of the tournament due to injury was unable to make his highly anticipated clay court debut (since his return to the main events) and Andy Murray was also forced to withdraw due to a back injury.
With top seeds, such as, Nalbandian, Ljubicic, Gonzalez and Davydenko losing early our Federer vs Nadal final seemed more and more likely. And our wish was granted! Sunday, our boys Federer and Nadal played their second consecutive final at the Monte Carlo event. In 2006’s final they played a best of five set final which turned out to be an interesting 4 set match and set the stage for the Nad vs Fed clay court monopoly of 2006 (Wow that was pressure!). This year’s final was a best of three sets match which Nadal won routinely in straight sets. Did we wish it was a best of 5 set final? Of course, there is something about the rollercoaster nature of a best of 5 set that keeps us more excited and more on edge. Now don’t get us wrong we weren’t expecting to have a replica of last year’s final just that we missed the nature of the best of 5 ( Hey if it will help the players cope with the rigors of the clay court season then I’m game).
So Nad and Fed if u could provide us with more finals this year we’ll accept.
L: Zar I know u really want Roland Garros for Federer to complete the year Slam which I must admit would be very nice for him but if you want RG we’ll have to take Wimbledon
Z: (Silence as she cringes)
L: So guess we’ll stick to the deal then Right?
Well as Zar takes time to absorb the idea of Fed not winning Wimby 07 or worst yet losing it to Rafa (points matter here) we’ll see what happens later for the rest of the clay court season now that the first one’s in the bag.
Fed claims he’s in the mix with Nadal on clay and Zar sure hopes that he is.
Zar says to Leez: You may have won this battle but the war is not over yet young grasshopper. See you in Rome!!!
Star profile
1. Rafael Nadal:Kicking off the clay court season in style!!! Defending Monte Carlo title for the 3rd time (2nd time beating the world #1 Federer for the title). First player to win the Monte Carlo title three times in row since Ilie Nastase and keeping that clay court winning streak going and going and going and.....
2. Roger Federer: beating clay courters Ferrer and Fererro in straight sets (who said he can’t play on clay?). Besides he looks good doing it (we are loving the slim fitting red polos lol).
3. Bryan Brothers: (at least two Americans had the courage to show up on the clay and win the doubles title no less!)
4. Ljubicic, Nad, Fed Moya and any other player standing up for the Monte Carlo tourney.
5. Monte Carlo Tournament: Great event huge fan support –here 2 stay! Scrap pile
1. American ATP players not named Bob and Mike: injuries and whatever else keeps you from attending the first clay court Masters of the year. We seriously doubt any of you would have showed up injured or not! Way to start off the clay court season boys!
2. Etienne de Villiers: what can we say.. you are in the process of creating a real mess, just because the American players don’t value the clay court season doesn’t mean that its not important to other players, the tournament organisers and the fans (you know.. the other stake holders in this besides yourself and James Blake and co).
3. ESPN Coverage: ESPN 2 seemed to have abandoned tennis leaving only other option ESPN International with very poor reception (Buffering 45%) lol
4. Thomas Berdych's camp: A bit presumptious for your coach to be scouting Federer's semi final match before your own semi final with Nadal don't you think? Seems as though time could have been better spent working out a strategy for your match with Nadal. Have you all heard of videotaping? Or did you think you had Nad in the bag?
5. Safin,Safin,Safin:4 wasted match points...what more can we say? (we still love you though!)
Lob of the week (you know...those statements that just go way over your head!) 
"For me it's something that doesn't quite fit into the schedule. It's going to be real tough to go from Houston all the way over to Monte Carlo, then come back just for a week or two to train for Rome. For the Americans, that tournament has never been exactly the easiest one in the schedule. I'm not going to be able to make it to that one"
James, with commitment like that success is guaranteed...right?
