Tennis Planet.me

Mats Wilander and Annabel Croft take a look at Rafael Nadal's famous forehand.

 

Wimbledon 2015 R.Federer -D. Dzumhur.

 

Wimbledon 2015 R1 Nadal vs. Bellucci HIGHLIGHTS.

 

Shouldn't Wawrinka be 'allowed' to avoid the PED accusation altogether? Heck, he should skip being charged for it too? He should go straight to the lock up - given his 'you are not fooling anybody' trajectory?

YEAR	TITLES	TOURNAMENTS
2015	3	Roland Garros(Outdoor/Clay) Rotterdam(Indoor/Hard) Chennai(Outdoor/Hard)
2014	3	ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo(Outdoor/Clay) Australian Open(Outdoor/Hard) Chennai(Outdoor/Hard)
2013	1	Oeiras(Outdoor/Clay)
2011	1	Chennai(Outdoor/Hard)
2010	1	Casablanca(Outdoor/Clay)
2006	1	Umag(Outdoor/Clay)

Here are the 'dripping with evidence' factors:

-You have been on the tour for 13 freaking years (Turned pro 2002).

-Have won titles in six of those thirteen meaning you 'laid' an egg with or without Federer for seven seasons.

-Four of those six years had just ONE title each. All Mickey Mouse AND Scooby Doo.

-From age 17 to three months short of age 29 (your prime) you won four Mickey Mouse AND Scooby Doo titles. That's four titles in 11 years.

-Of those 11 years, there were five seasons where you didn't win any title.

-Then suddenly for the last two seasons (one is just half way done) at around age 29 and beyond you have won TWO Slams for a total of six titles. That's more than what you won in past 11 years - by two. 4 - 6. And the second season is barely half way done. Heck, you are a legit contender for the third Slam right after winning the last one - at age 30.

-You have defeated Djokovic, Nadal, Federer - forget everybody else - en route to the two Slams.

-There's absolutely no precedent in the history of the sport to rationalize above - even remotely.

-All of above is suspect EVEN if PEDs didn't exist today. Add the current PED supercharged environment and leapfrogging over everything to land straight in the lock up appears justified? Heck, it's the only option.

-Heck, Armstrong is suddenly looking like worthy Hall Of Famer. Why? Because he at least tried to camouflage.

Photos.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates after defeating Jeremy Chardy of France in the singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jeremy Chardy of France falls over during the singles first round match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic reacts after a point during the singles first round match against Jeremy Chardy of France at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Police officers stand overlooking Court 11 where the singles first round match between Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium and Elizaveta Kulichkova of Russia is being played at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Chair umpire Eva Asderaki is seen during day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Sachia Vickery of the United States reacts in her Ladies Singles first round match against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia during day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Former Wimbledon champion Lindsay Davenport , centre, watches as Madison Keys of the United States plays Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland during their women's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. ( (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Jeremy Chardy of France in action in his Gentlemens Singles first round match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Gael Monfils (R) of France shakes hands with his opponent after winning his Gentlemens Singles first round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil in the singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. Nadal won the match 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Mirka Federer watches her husband Roger Federer of Switzerland play Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia in their singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Roger Federer of Switzerland smashes a ball to Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia during the singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Amelie Mauresmo, coach of Andy Murray of Britain, watches the singles first round match between Murray and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Kim, wife of Andy Murray of Britain, arrives for the singles first round match between Murray and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday June 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

The worst-case scenario came true: Eugenie Bouchard is out in Wimbledon's first round. From Stella. Thanks.

STELLA

WIMBLEDON – Well, the worst-case scenario occurred: Genie Bouchard lost in the first round at Wimbledon.

All the trees and bandwidth dedicated to the 21-year-old Canadian star’s struggles this season seemed to lead up to this defining moment as she attempted to defend her most illustrious result of 2014, the singles final here.

To paraphrase the semi-immortal words of Boris Becker, a man who did his fair share of winning on the lawns here during his career, she didn’t lose a war. Nobody died. Bouchard merely lost a tennis match.

Click here for more.

Did you know?

.........how clowns get your personal information?

Wifredo Ferrer: The key to this is to have somebody in the inside, or someone who has access to our social security numbers, to our date of births. And a lot of these individuals are insiders in big institutions. In banks, hospitals, schools, clinics.

Corey Williams: We would approach anyone who worked at like a dental office, anybody who worked in a medical field. You would just approach them and tell them, if they get you 100 names, you would give them $1,000.

Steve Kroft: These people easy to find in Miami?

Corey Williams: Very easy. Very easy.

Steve Kroft: Because you would think if you went in and started knocking doors, and asking people that worked as hospitals, and doctors' offices, and dentists' office, somebody would call the cops.

Corey Williams: No, they needed the money more than they wanted to call the cops. Everybody was with it. Everybody was with the scam.

Click here for more.

Take a look back at Virginia Wade's 1977 Silver Jubilee triumph.

 

Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal reviews his opening encounter against Thomaz Bellucci on Day 2 of the Championships.

 

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer speaks to media after commencing his 2015 Championships campaign with a straight sets win over Damir Dzumhur.

 

Maestro Dad! From M. Thanks.

M

http://40.media.tumblr.com/35d33239406e516403212f07ad5c32d1/tumblr_nqg1i75ssN1rlws4ro5_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/1afb7ffa158d8125c4af7595263c0bc6/tumblr_nqg1i75ssN1rlws4ro1_1280.jpg
http://www.tenisovysvet.sk/fotoalbumy/roger-federer-otecko-na-plny-uvazok/fedex1.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/1c54f87ebc1b1b36ace37119f31c901c/tumblr_nqg1i75ssN1rlws4ro3_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/9dc1c79fe9e0a1219b67bebaa5418d2d/tumblr_nqg1i75ssN1rlws4ro4_1280.jpg

http://www.tenisovysvet.sk/fotoalbumy/roger-federer-otecko-na-plny-uvazok/fedex4.jpg

http://www.tenisovysvet.sk/fotoalbumy/roger-federer-otecko-na-plny-uvazok/fedex5.jpg

2015 Wimbledon Contenders after one match a piece. Wawrinka with most UEs and Winners / 25 aces? Nadal with negative ratio? Federer and Wawrinka only ones not broken? Federer with lowest TOC / breadstick? Is that good or bad?

Player	Aces / Ist Serve pct. / Winning % on 1st Serve	Winners / Unforced errors = Total	Sets lost / Tie breaks	Bagels / Breadsticks - dished	Bk pt conv % / Broken / Bk pt opp. offered	Time on court.	Matches played / Total points won
Djokovic	12 / 73 / 75 / 57	36-21=+15	0 / 0	0 / 0	42 / 2 (Kohlschreiber) / 9	2:03	1 / 33
Federer	6 / 64 / 85 / 74	26-12=+14	0 / 0	0 / 1 (Dzumhur)	50 / 0 / 0	1:07	1 / 88
Murray	14 / 65 / 76 / 48	30-17=+13	0 / 1 (Kukushkin)	0 / 0	71 / 3 (Kukushkin) / 7	2:12	1 / 59
Wawrinka	25 / 60 / 86 / 62	45-30=+15	0 / 1 (Sousa)	0 / 0	33 / 0 / 0	1:49	1 / 46
Nadal	1 / 59 / 65 / 65	21-23=-2	0 / 0	0 / 0	50 / 2 (Bellucci) / 6	2:11	1 / 41

11 seeds out in opening round @ 2015 Wimbledon. Three from top ten. From M. Thanks.

M

8 Ferrer - def by elbow.

19 Robredo (ESP) def by Millman.

28 Cuevas (URU) def by Kudla (late in the 5th).

29 Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def by Andujar.

31 Sock (USA) def by Groth.

 

Ladies:

3 Halep (ROU) def by Cepelova
9 Suarez Navarro (ESP) def by Ostapenko
12 Bouchard (CAN) def by Duan
24 Pennetta (ITA) def by Diyas
27 Strycova (CZE) def by Stephens
32 Garcia (FRA) def by Watson

Get a Perfectly Ripe Avocado Every Time With This Simple Hack.

As any avocado lover knows, finding a perfectly ripe specimen takes lots of time, patience, and often, heartbreak. We’re talking countless minutes squeezing in the grocery store trying to find the just-right firmness, or waiting patiently for them to ripen at home, only to find that too much time has passed and brownness has taken hold.

No matter how you play it, there really is no solution to finding that ripe perfection every time…. That is, until now.

With this easy hack from Buzzfeed, you’re guaranteed to always find the avocado to fit your guacamole and avo-toasting needs.

The secret is in the stem. More specifically, the color of the stem. If you peel away the nub covering the end of the avocado, the tone of the circle of skin beneath will tell you everything you need to know.

A green circle indicates that the avocado is underripe. If it’s dark brown, it’s overripe.

The color to look for is a yellowish tone, which will indicate that your avocado has reached ideal ripeness. Now all that’s left to do is scoop, slice, and serve.

https://www.yahoo.com/food/get-a-perfectly-ripe-avocado-every-time-with-this-122855027421.html

Day 2: Order of play @ Centre Court & Court 1. In action: Federer, Murray, Nadal...........

CENTRE COURT
1:00PM

LADIES' SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Kiki Bertens (NED)

v

Petra Kvitova (CZE) [2]

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Damir Dzumhur (BIH)

v

Roger Federer (SUI) [2]

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)

v

Andy Murray (GBR) [3]

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

NO.1 COURT
1:00PM

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)

v

Rafael Nadal (ESP) [10]

 

LADIES' SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Jana Cepelova (SVK)

v

Simona Halep (ROU) [3]

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Tomas Berdych (CZE) [6]

v

Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Wawrinka's shorts immortalized? From Stella.Thanks.

 

2015 Miami Open: Fantastic sportsmanship by Stan Wawrinka v Adrian Mannarino. From O. Thanks.

O

 

Nadal: "I'm trying, but it won't go back to 2010". From Mr. Cool. Thanks.

Nadal leads Spanish players' criticism of federation.

Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer along with other high-profile figures in Spanish tennis have signed an open letter criticizing their federation over the poor running of the sport in the latest development of an ongoing feud.

A total of 44 people put their name on Sunday to a seven-point statement that hit out at general poor organization along with a lack of transparency by the Spanish federation (RFET).

It emphasized the "chaotic" and "belligerent" way that the federation is led by president Jose Luis Escanuela and asks that the "necessary authorities" take swift action to remedy the situation.

The letter comes on the back of claims in local media that the nation's first female Davis Cup captain Gala Leon offered her resignation following continued disapproval of her appointment last September, but it was not accepted by the federation.

Nadal was among those who reacted with disbelief at the RFET's naming of Leon, who had a career-high ranking of 27 as a player, to replace Carlos Moya.

It has led to accusations of sexism and Nadal himself admitted over the weekend that the controversy is tarnishing the image of Spanish tennis.

"The situation is terrible," Nadal told a news conference ahead of the Wimbledon.

"All these things that are happening cause damage to tennis, to the desire sponsors might have to invest in our sport, to the excitement that kids might have in continuing to play," added the 14-times grand slam champion.

There has also been a standoff between the government sports council (CSD), which has questioned Leon's appointment, and Escanuela.

Spain's disciplinary committee for sports (TAD) last week suspended Escanuela for one month for failing to collaborate in a probe into the federation's finances.

The CSD says it is attempting to track down what happened to at least 700,000 euros ($775,140) the RFET paid out in transactions linked to the Spanish Tennis Foundation and the Spanish Tennis Observatory.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nadal-leads-spanish-players-criticism-federation-085927572--ten.html

Novak Djokovic goes to a Buddhist temple to meditate between matches at Wimbledon.

In the chaos and pressure of Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic finds an escape at a Buddhist temple just outside of the All England Club.

According to ESPN's Mark Hodgkinson, for the last four years Djokovic has visited the Buddhapadipa Temple to meditate and relieve stress between matches.

Though Djokovic isn't Buddhist, he appreciates the serenity at the temple and enjoys getting away from the crowds to enjoy nature.

He told Hodgkinson, "When I'm staying in Wimbledon Village, I like to relax between matches by being with nature." He noted he enjoys "hearing the peaceful sounds of the water and seeing people just relax and connect with nature."

In 2013, Djokovic also opened up about his meditation visits, saying:

"It’s very calm and quiet, obviously. I stay in a house which is very nearby. We like Wimbledon and London in general because there are so many beautiful parks and nature, places which you can call getaways during these two weeks of a hectic grand-slam atmosphere... Obviously, there is a huge amount of pressure and stress and everything involved, so you need to have a place where you know you can switch off and recharge your batteries. I guess it’s private, in a way. But I just can say that it’s a very calm and very beautiful environment where I like to spend time."

Phramaha Bhatsakorn Piyobhas, one of the monks at the temple, told Hodgkinson that meditation improves concentration and focus, which could in turn help someone play tennis, or any sport, better.

Djokovic has become increasingly involved in off-the-court preparation in recent years. He has a strict, gluten-free diet and practices Eastern medicine, according to Paul Newman of The Independent. Djokovic also released a self-help lifestyle book in 2013 called "Serve to Win."

The monks at Buddhapadipa Temple are familiar with Djokovic by now, although he often meditates alone instead of in groups or classes with them. Though they don't have a TV at the temple, Piyobhaso told Hodgkinson that they can follow Djokovic's progress on the Internet, or monitor the crowd noise from the nearby Centre Court.

Djokovic won his first round in three sets at Wimbledon on Monday, and is aiming for his third Wimbledon title in his career.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/novak-djokovic-goes-buddhist-temple-181052857.html

Djokovic fears smear campaign in 'Becker signals' row,

Defending champion Novak Djokovic fears he is becoming the victim of a smear campaign after his opening Wimbledon victory on Monday was overshadowed by more allegations of cheating.

The world number one and top seed eased to a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber on Centre Court but many eyes were glued to the Serb's coach Boris Becker after the German legend admitted he employed ways to instruct his player even though coaching is banned during a match.

Djokovic had spent large parts of the weekend defending Becker, a three-time Wimbledon winner, but admitted that many coaches use subtle means to encourage their players.

"I'm just trying to figure out what you want to achieve with this story. I don't understand what you really want. Do you want to say I'm cheating, my team? I'm really trying to figure out what's behind this," fumed the 28-year-old Djokovic.

"I mean, are you asking only me or are you asking other players, as well?"

The usually affable Djokovic added: "I'm going to say that there are certain ways of communication which is encouragement, which is support, which is understanding the moment when to, you know, clap or say something that can lift my energy up, that can kind of motivate me to play a certain point. But it's all within the rules."

Serbia's Novak Djokovic's German coach Boris Becker watches the play on centre court on day  …

Djokovic insisted that if the media wanted to pursue their line of questioning then they should talk to Becker.

He refused to divulge if the German's means of encouraging him were in use on Monday where the Serb opened the two-week tournament.

- Controversy -

It's not a new controversy for Djokovic -- he has twice been rapped for coaching in the past, although on both occasions it was before Becker came on board to work alongside long-time coach Marian Vajda.

"If I am breaking any rules or my team does, I would be fined for that, right? The chair umpire would say, Coaching penalty, and that's it. Or the supervisor, or whoever," he said.

"I think it has happened in my life, no doubt about that. Of course, I accept the fact if my coach, Boris or Marian, do say something that is against the rules that are in place, I have no complaint about the code violation that I get for coaching. So, I mean, I'm completely fine by that."

Djokovic said the issue had not been discussed with Becker or any of his support team before Monday's match.

The world number one was playing his first match since his defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the final of the French Open three weeks ago ended his hopes of completing a career Grand Slam.

He will now face Finland's Jarkko Nieminen for a place in the last 32.

"This is the cradle of our sport," said Djokovic on his return to Centre Court where he defeated Roger Federer in five sets in the 2014 final.

"There is no bigger tournament in our sport than Wimbledon. It's always a special feeling to come out here as defending champion. There's always a few butterflies."

Djokovic, also the 2011 champion, hit 12 aces and 36 winners past world number 33 Kohlschreiber for a seventh win in eight meetings with the German.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/djokovic-fears-smear-campaign-becker-signals-row-210350449--ten.html

Novak Djokovic vs Philipp Kohlschreiber - Wimbledon 2015 Highlights.

 

Stanislas Wawrinka Pre Wimbledon Press Conference.

 

Andy Murray Pre Wimbledon Press Conference.

 

Rafael Nadal Pre Wimbledon Press Conference.

 

Roger Federer Pre Wimbledon Press Conference.

 

Novak Djokovic Pre Wimbledon Press Conference.

 

Serena Williams answers questions on why she should be Wimbledon 2015 champion.

 

Novak Djokovic answers questions on why he should be Wimbledon 2015 champion.

 

The Man In The Hat @ Wimbledon. From Stella. Thanks.

STELLA

He's still there, sitting in the box, looking the same as ever.
The Man In The Hat.

I've see some marvellous matches, and some that were not.
Said the Man in the Hat who sits in the box.

When I started this job the champs were Kodes and BJK.
Said the man in the hat who still sits in the box.

I've watched King and Connors,Evert and Ashe, Ginny, Court, Borg and Mac , Becker, Cash, Stefan, Steffi, and Martinas and Andre, Pete, Krajicek and Conchita, Novotna too, Lindsay and Venus, Serena, Roger, Rafa, Amelie, Petra and Nole .
Said the man in the hat who always sits in the box.

I've even seen a streaker when Krajicek played Mal.
Said the man in the hat who sits at the back off the box.

I've seen "our Ginny" and Ann make the home country proud.
Said the man in the hat who's in charge of the box.

I've met all the families and made lots of friends.
Said the man in the hat who sits quietly in the box
.
I miss Cliff Richard singing to wait out the rain .
Said the man in the hat who guards the box.

I've seen Roger and Rafa have great highs and great lows .
Said the man in the hat who's place is in the box.

I've seen the biggest upset when Conchita stunned Martina.
Said the man in the hat who we see in the box.

I saw that great tie breaker between Borg and Johhny Mac,
Said the man in the hat who 's at the right of the box

I've seen Venus and Serena win the trophy 10 times
Said the man in the hat who takes care of the box

I've seen Greg and Tim and Andy the first British champ since 1936.
said the man in the hat who's still there in the box.

Photos.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia plays a forehand in his Gentlemens Singles first round match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 29, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus plays a backhand in his Gentlemens Singles first round match against Donald Young of the United States during day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 29, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Sloane Stephens (L) of the United States celebrates winning her Ladies Singles first round match against Barbara Strycova of the Czech Republic during day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 29, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Nadal is using drones?

Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks at a small bird that came onto court as he plays Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during the men's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria smashes the ball to Federico Delbonis of Argentina during the men's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Sloane Stephens of the United States serves to Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic during the women's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Sloane Stephens of the United States, top, serves to Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic during the women's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Spectators watch play on big screens on the first day at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia smiles after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the women's singles first round match against at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, left, greets after defeating Joao Sousa of Portugal in the men's singles first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Venus Williams of the United States celebrates winning the women's singles first round match against Madison Brengle of the United States at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday June 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Think you are too smart to fall for any scam? Yeah? Try this (you are defenseless):

For this fraud all you need is a laptop, someone's social security number, date of birth, not even their name. They can do it from their kitchen table. They can do it at a fast-food chain restaurant. Or they can do it on the beach, as long as they have Wi-Fi access.

Actually Corey Williams says you don't even need a laptop, you can file phony returns on your cell phone, if you have the right app. He used to be a legitimate tax preparer until his boss turned him on to the scam. Before he was arrested and sentenced to 40 months in prison, he had made millions and millions of dollars.

Click here.

The Sun Never Sets: On Roger Federer, Endings, and Wimbledon. From Adrian. Thanks.

ADRIAN

Check this out, TPers, beautiful piece on RF's sun still not setting...

Click here.

The World’s Highest-Paid Entertainers of 2015. Any from Sports? Tennis?

The Top 10:         

1.  Floyd Mayweather ($300M)              

2.  Manny Pacquiao ($160M)             

3.  Katy Perry ($135M)               

4.  One Direction ($130M)

5.  Howard Stern ($95M)

6.  Garth Brooks($90M)

7.  James Patterson ($89M)   

8.  Robert Downey Jr. ($80M)             

9.  Taylor Swift ($80M)              

10.  Cristiano Ronaldo ($79.5M) 

Full list here.

Wawrinka's sorry showing @ Wimbledon to-date.

Year	Lost in which round	Score	To whom
1	Opening	26 76(7) 57 16	Santoro
2	3rd	67(5) 76(5) 16 36	Ancic
3	Opening	46 46 16	Llodra
4	4th	46 36 75 16	Safin
5	4th	62 36 36 75 36	Murray
6	Opening	76(5) 16 62 67(4) 36	Istomin
7	2nd	67(5) 36 67(4)	Bolelli
8	Opening	63 67(2) 62 46 68	Melzer
9	Opening	46 57 36	Hewitt
10	Quarterfinals	63 67(5) 46 46	Federer

Roger Federer is quizzed on his career knowledge.

 

'Recent' Wimbledon memorable moments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You got more? No, you don't!!!!

Wimbledon Awaits 2015. At least what two fail to add the 's'?

 

Wawrinka in his absolute prime (today?) will not even have a fighting chance against ONE player when in form. Have a clue?

Nadal? Duh!!!!!

No matter how good your backhand is, if it requires using just one hand, you are toast - independent of surface, wind, rain, tournament, 3 or 5 set format, racket, strings, 'orientation', acne, Federer friendship, you freaking name it.

Heck, the proof is already here.

There's one clown who even today (?) is not only equipped with as good a backhand if not better (in his prime), his all around game is better than the world has ever seen.

Translation: If a clown who arguably has as good a backhand and is a GOAT largely because of his prowess elsewhere is owned by Nadal, what are YOUR chances 'just' with an equivalent backhand?

Not convinced?

Try this:

Clown with talent-set very close to yours - heck, better - with as superb a backhand has posted a miserable, I think, 0-20 H2H against Nadal (still can't figure out how to access the H2H from the stupid ATP site). Clown is called Gasquet.

Not enough?

Even @ less than what 70%, Nadal very nearly extended the 2014 AO final against Wawrinka to the fifth set.

There's NO freaking way to beat an in-form Nadal, if you are flaunting a one-handed backhand - anywhere. And if you are as one-dimensional as Wawrinka is, you will be humiliated. And if your nose is already red, it may not even exist by the time Nadal is done - from the drubbing. Geeeezzz!!!!

And that's if you are not on clay. How about Roland Garros?

Federer's late career surge hurting his legacy?

By climbing back to World No. 2 spot at age 34 - heck, at one point even threatening to take over the No. 1 spot (age 33) - Federer has renewed his claim to be the most talented man to ever play tennis.

If whatever he did up until the regular boundaries of tradition (age 30ish) left any doubt - given Nadal and other factors - this late surge with the tinge of sustainability resumes that debate like an added reinforcement - while blunting some of the impact guy named Mowgli had on his career.

If he is able to maintain current form for another couple of years, Nadal may begin to appear as a minor aberration from the massive 'in the face' ugly stain it seems today. And that's if Nadal is able to return to his peak form until the traditional age perimeter. If he fails, the above perception will deepen even further.

However, above reinforcement WILL question Federer's inability to reconcile his talent with proportionate stats, Nadal notwithstanding.

I mean, if above claim is as true as it will appear to be after above time span and 'fulfillment' is bagged, how can you be 'stuck' at just 17 Slams? Heck, 20. And that's after 'excusing' everything Nadal blocked - for good. Why? Because Federer had free reign of the landscape not called clay for enough minutes to match skill with numbers - perfectly and beyond reproach. Instead this newly emerging 'reinforcement' now has a look of a second whammy - after the one Nadal is responsible for.

For rock people, scratching around, here's what I am barking about:

You have convinced us that you are the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen - with your late surge plus regular showing.

But two pieces don't match: Your stats AND Nadal.

17 Slams, Nadal etc. was bag enough without this late surge accolade. Now they look even worse - even though you have clearly 'gained' - indisputably.

Murray working with psychiatrist to help Wimbledon bid.

Andy Murray has coped magnificently with shouldering his country's hopes at Wimbledon for the past decade but has sought some extra help this year in the shape of a psychiatrist.

Top-level athletes, especially in individual sports, quite often work with sport psychologists, but 28-year-old Murray wants to understand the deeper mechanisms of his mind as he bids to win the prestigious title for a second time.

Should he reach the final and face world number one Novak Djokovic, who he beat in the 2013 title match but has lost to in their next eight meetings, any mental edge could prove crucial.

"I don't use a sports psychologist. It's a bit different to that. I'm more interested in learning the signs behind it and why the brain works in certain ways and why you may react or say things at certain times," he was quoted in British media on the eve of the tournament he cherishes so much.

"I just tried to learn and understand myself better. When you do that you know you can cut yourself some slack sometimes. As you go along, you learn.

"I used a lot of sports psychologists when I was younger. Sometimes it helped and sometimes it didn't feel like it did.

"But now I'm interested in learning about how the brain works, rather than being told how to count to 10, or whatever it is, to calm yourself down -- which, for me, didn't help."

Murray's early career was marked with rapid emotional swings in matches but he seems more stable these days and the world number three arrives at Wimbledon in sparkling form.

Murray says knowing how he reacts to certain situations, such as a double-fault or a missed break point opportunity at the crucial stage of a match, was a big help.

"There is someone that I use. It's not a mind guru, it's a psychiatrist. There is a difference -- so he tells me -- between a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

"I don't know exactly what it is, but the work I'm doing is different to the work I was doing in the past. I find it extremely interesting. When you see how you react in certain situations, it's, like, yeah, that's correct."

Third seed Murray begins on Tuesday against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/murray-working-psychiatrist-help-wimbledon-bid-140443475--ten.html

Order of play for day ONE @ 2015 Wimbledon: Centre Court and Court 1. In action? Djokovic, Serena, Wawrinka....

CENTRE COURT
1:00PM

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]

v

Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

 

LADIES' SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Maria Sharapova (RUS) [4]

v

Johanna Konta (GBR)

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [4]

v

Joao Sousa (POR)

---------------------------------------------------

 

NO.1 COURT
1:00PM

LADIES' SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Serena Williams (USA) [1]

v

Margarita Gasparyan (RUS)

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Simone Bolelli (ITA)

v

Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5]

 

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES - FIRST ROUND

 

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [11]

v

Federico Delbonis (ARG)

Photos.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Eugenie Bouchard of Canada a pratice session prior to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on June 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Former champion Roger Federer serves during practice at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in Wimbledon London Sunday June 28, 2015. The Wimbledon tennis championships begin on Monday. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Current Wimbledon men's singles champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic gestures during a press conference at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in Wimbledon London Sunday June 28, 2015. The Wimbledon tennis championships begin on Monday. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Russia's Maria Sharapova plays a shot during practice at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in Wimbledon London Sunday June 28, 2015. The Wimbledon tennis championships begin on Monday.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Novak Djokovic of Serbia attends a press conference prior to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Florian Eisele - Pool/AELTC/Getty Images)

A police sniffer dog and its handlers do a security sweep a day before the start of the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Sunday June 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Covers are placed on the courts as rain stops practice a day before the start of the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Sunday June 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland runs out for his practice session prior to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: John Isner of the United States and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in good spirits before their practice sessions prior to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Maria Sharapova of Russia listens to her coach Sven Groeneveld during a practice session prior to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic denies cheating claims ahead of Wimbledon after Boris Becker comments. From O. Thanks.

O

Becker had told Five Live: "There are moments when he looks up and he needs assurance that what he is doing is right. And then we have our ways about it to tell him it's good or tell him it's bad. And then it's up to him to change it."

"I don't think that we're cheating," said Djokovic, who has worked with the German since 2013. "I don't think that's how you can call it. I mean, there are special ways of, I would say, communication. 
---
A few years ago, Stan call out Toni in a match saying he was coaching too much, and that the umpire needed to issue a warning or was it a second warning.
---
I guess some degree of coaching is going on and admitted to, and I can understand that it may be acceptable in the case of some "special ways of communication." But shouting direction loud is unacceptable, as Stan put it, "When it's too much, it's too much."
---
I guess this is one of the reasons why Federer is so popular, because he is always very fair.

http://www.eurosport.com/tennis/wimbledon/2015/novak-djokovic-denies-cheating-claims_sto4799729/story.shtml

Ferrer withdraws from Wimbledon with elbow injury. From Gary Moser. Thanks.

GARY MOSER

Spain's David Ferrer has pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament because of an elbow injury, the All England Club said in a statement on Sunday.

"Unfortunately I won't be able to play at Wimbledon because of an injury to my elbow," the 33-year-old, who has played in 50 consecutive grand slam tournaments since the 2003 Australian Open, said on his Twitter page.

"It's time to get better as quickly as possible."

Ferrer, who was seeded eighth, had been due to face Briton James Ward in the first round but will now be replaced in the draw by lucky loser from qualifying Luca Vanni of Italy.

Ferrer had been seeded to play fellow Spaniard Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals, a stage he has reached twice in his career at the grasscourt tournament.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ferrer-withdraws-wimbledon-elbow-injury-130429739--ten.html

As he prepares to defend his Wimbledon crown, Novak Djokovic explains why tennis will never take over his life. From Alpha. Thanks.

ALPHA

Click here.

Prayers and good thoughts for M's Mom.

M

Hey, all –

I wanted to put this up in a comparatively quiet moment in the season, so as not to dampen anybody’s Wimbledon excitement.

After having come through a tough surgery and seeming on her way to a good recovery in cardiac rehab, Mommy was readmitted yesterday via the ER to ICU at the hospital that did her surgery (we asked for that – me a bit forcefully – rather than the closest ER to her rehab, as I hoped for her to be with a team there that was familiar with her history) for broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment for what they suspect (but won’t confirm for me; these docs impress me with their accuracy but can near-drive you mad with the hesitancy to commit) is pneumonia, while they also continue to search for another bacterial infection elsewhere (which they suspect contributed to more fluid in the bottom of her lungs post-cardiac surgery than they wanted, or the other way around, but, again, won’t confirm the causal chain for me w/those two events till they’re absolutely sure).

So I ask again for your prayers and good thoughts for her and for me, too, as I need to continue to ask the right questions to try to get all the best responses for her from her exemplary medical team, but since the letters after my name don’t include “MD” and this situation is the most complex I feel I’ve been in with her, I feel like I’m way out of my depth even as I do my best to remember all the information they take the time to give me & are very patient with me as a whole (docs & nurses both).

On-court interview (Sue Barker): Djokovic and Federer 2014 Wimbledon.

 

 

Contenders: 2015 Wimbledon

Player	Aces / Ist Serve pct. / Winning % on 1st Serve	Winners / Unforced errors = Total	Sets lost / Tie breaks	Bagels / Breadsticks - dished	Bk pt conv % / Broken / Bk pt opp. offered	Time on court.	Matches played / Total points won
Djokovic	64 / 71 / 77 / 60	228-99=+129	2 (Anderson) / 3 (Anderson, Gasquet)	0 / 1 (Anderson)	43 / 5 (Kohlschreiber[2], Nieminen[1], Anderson[1], Gasquet[1]) / 25	13:04	6 / 33
Federer	67 / 66 / 84 / 67	244-75=+169	1 (Groth) / 1 (Groth)	0 / 1 (Dzumhur)	46 / 1 (Simon) / 4	9:57	6 / 38
Murray	41 / 65 / 78 / 55	172-76=+96	2 (Seppi, Karlovic) / 2 (Kukushkin, Karlovic)	0 / 3 (Hasse[2], Seppi)	50 / 7 (Kukushkin[3], Seppi[3], Karlovic) / 24	11:02	5 / 47 OUT
Wawrinka	59 / 59 / 85 / 55	160-121=+39	0 / 3 (Sousa, Goffin[2])	0 / 0	40 / 2 (Goffin) / 10	7:37	4 / 37 OUT

Wimbledon Verse 2015 edition. From Stella. Thanks.

STELLA

Wimbledon Verse 2015 edition.

My favourite 2 weeks are upon us, 
No housework, just tennis all day.
I've been to pick my strawberries,
So I'm ready when the umpire says "play "

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Wimbledon. London SW19.
A dream for any tennis player
to play on those lawns so Englishy green.

Ever since I saw Maria Bueno
I've had this impossible wish
to stand on the grass at Centre Court
and hold the Venus Rosewater dish.

Will Roger get yet one more Major.
number 18 is surely his greatest wish
Will our Genie get her groove back 
and who'll hold up that coveted dish

As Canadians we're watching "the hair" Milos.
He has been fine since fixing his foot
But Murray is a strong contender
though Nole would probably be my bet.

so, I will do as the Brits do.
as they sit in front of their tellies
and hope that for the Wimbledon fortnight
the players won't need brollies or wellies