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- Completed matches.
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Recent Posts
- Needle movement for Djokovic after winning 2020 Rome Masters 1000.
- Embarrassing (Most?) point during a match?
- Rome Masters 2020.
- Nole’s best moments in Rome.
- More photos.
- Photos.
- Simona Halep vs Karolina Pliskova - WTA Rome 2020 Final - Highlights, Speech & Trophy Lift.
- Simona Halep ‘I dreamed to have this title’ | 2020 Rome Post-Match Interview.
- Simona Halep vs. Karolina Pliskova | 2020 Rome Final | WTA Highlights.
- Novak Djokovic vs Diego Schwartzman | Rome 2020 Final Highlights.
« January 2019 | Main | March 2019 »
February 2019
02/28/2019
Career titles: Open era.
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Defending champ del Potro pulls out of Indian Wells Masters.
Juan Martin del Potro said Wednesday he won't defend his Indian Wells ATP Masters title, another setback in the Argentinian's comeback from a broken right kneecap.
"I am truly disappointed that I will not be able to return to the BNP Paribas Open to defend my title," del Potro said in a statement issued through tournament organizers.
"It is one of my favorite tournaments, and I have incredible memories from last year, but my doctors have advised me to rest."
Del Potro, ranked fourth in the world, reached the quarter-finals of the hardcourt tournament in Delray Beach, Florida, last week, his first event since he hobbled out of the Shanghai Masters in October.
He was clearly less than 100 percent in falling to 84th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald, and hours after the match announced he wouldn't defend his title in Acapulco this week.
His place in the Indian Wells draw will be taken by Japan's Taro Daniel.
"I fully understand how difficult it can be to deal with injuries, and that coming back from them is not always a straightforward process," said Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas.
"We wish Juan Martin all the best in his recovery, and hope to see him back at the BNP Paribas Open next year."
https://sports.yahoo.com/defending-champ-del-potro-pulls-indian-wells-masters-231319714--ten.html
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Rafael Nadal accuses Nick Kyrgios of lacking respect during defeat in Mexico.
Rafael Nadal accused Nick Kyrgios of a lack of respect on Wednesday night, after losing a tight and testy match in which Kyrgios tried to catch him out with an underarm serve.
"He is a player who has enormous talent," said Nadal, after Kyrgios had edged this three-hour epic in Acapulco by a 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 scoreline. "He could win grand slams and fight the top positions of the ranking, but there is a reason why he is where he is [at a world ranking of No. 72]. He lacks respect for the public, the rival and towards himself."
This was a bizarre encounter which had seemed to be going Nadal’s way when he claimed the first set. Kyrgios then called the trainer on and said that, although he felt sick, he would continue to play for fear that the media would “blow it up”.
Despite earning just a single break point in the match, Kyrgios held on to his own serve and eventually triumphed in dramatic style, saving three match points before throwing himself to the ground in celebration at his victory – the third he has claimed over Nadal in six meetings. The two men shook hands abruptly and without warmth, then Kyrgios put his finger behind his ear in taunting fashion as boos rang out around the stadium.
Afterwards, the debate on social media was feverish. Kyrgios posted a photograph on Instagram with the caption “Don’t doubt yourself, there are plenty of people who will do that for you. I can smell the blood when I play this dude.”
An extensive debate also developed around the rights and wrongs of the underarm serve that Kyrgios hit as a surprise tactic early in the deciding set, even though the serve actually landed a foot or so long and thus did not count. Underarm serves are rarely spotted in professional tennis, and are seen by many as a sneaky ploy.
When Nadal’s criticisms were put to Kyrgios after the match, he replied “He doesn't know anything about me so I'm not going to listen at all … He's very slow in between points. The rule in the book says you have to play at the speed of the server, but Rafa has his speed every time, so I’m not going to comment on him.”
Meanwhile the Lawn Tennis Association confirmed on Thursday that the Copper Box Arena at London’s Olympic Park will host the Fed Cup tie between Great Britain and Kazakhstan on the weekend of April 20 and 21.
In Dubai, Roger Federer beat Marton Fucsovics 7-6, 6-4 to move into the semi-finals. Federer, who received an unusual code violation for audible obscenity, now stands just two wins away from his 100th ATP title.
https://sports.yahoo.com/rafael-nadal-accuses-nick-kyrgios-104909935.html
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Photos.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during their quarter final day Twelve of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates victory over Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during day twelve of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Gael Monfils of France in action against Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania during day twelve of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.(Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: A general view of play during day twelve of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during day twelve of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Gael Monfils of France reacts during day twelve of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a ball during the match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Nick Kyrgios of Australia as part of the day 3 of the Telcel Mexican Open 2019 at Mextenis Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 27: Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates after winning his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain as part of the day 3 of the Telcel Mexican Open 2019 at Mextenis Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 27: David Ferrer of Spain receives a tribute after having retired during the match between David Ferrer of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany as part of the day 3 of the Telcel Mexican Open 2019 at Mextenis Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 27: David Ferrer of Spain receives a tribute after having retired during the match between David Ferrer of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany as part of the day 3 of the Telcel Mexican Open 2019 at Mextenis Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 27: Roger Federer of Switzerland gestures against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day Eleven of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium February 27, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
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How many players can you name who 'hate' a certain Slam thereby determining the most hated Slam?
AO:
Murray.
Nadal.
Borg.
FO:
Sampras.
Federer.
W:
Lendl.
USO:
Djokovic.
Got more?
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This Is How Often You Really Should Be Shutting Down Your Computer.
There are pretty much two types of people in the world: Those who shut their computers down every night, and those who close their laptops without turning them off. You’ve probably heard mixed messages about which one is better for saving energy and keeping your hardware up to snuff, so we’re here to set the record straight.
Most computers have three levels of low-power states when they’re not in use: sleeping, hibernating, and shut down.
In sleep mode, your computer shuts down portions of itself but saves a snapshot of what you were doing so you can get right back to where you were, says Geek Squad Agent Derek Meister. Hibernate mode is similar but shuts more things off for deeper sleep and less power. The main difference you’d notice is the time it takes to boot back up, says Brad Nichols, a technician with technology repair service company Staymobile. Sleep mode will boot your computer back up within a few seconds of moving the mouse, but it might take a few minutes to come out of hibernation. Shutting down your laptop fully means your computer is totally powered off and uses almost no power. Learn the best way to charge a device so its battery lasts longer.
You might have heard shutting down a computer completely actually uses more power in the long run because the system is more stressed than usual during the shutdown and boot up. That might have been true in older models, but it’s not an issue with modern computers. You might remember the loud noises like whirring fans from your first PCs, but newer models have solid-state equipment instead of a bunch of moving parts, says Meister. The newer technology also makes shutdowns go more smoothly. 'Modern computers don’t really draw much more power—if any—while starting up or shutting down than when normally being used,' he says.
You’re better off sticking with these 11 tricks for a longer lasting laptop battery. While sleep mode does suck up a bit more power than a laptop that’s shut down, the difference is pretty negligible. 'You’re talking maybe a dollar’s worth of savings on your electric bill,' says Meister. If you’re worried about cutting down your energy costs, you’re better off unplugging chargers that aren’t in use or turning off a printer until you need it, he says. If you’re constantly back and forth at the computer, leaving it in sleep mode might save your sanity when you first open your laptop. If you use it less often or just want to power it down, though, no harm done, says Meister.
Even if you do keep your laptop in sleep mode most nights, it’s a good idea to fully shut down your computer at least once a week, agrees Nichols and Meister. The more you use your computer, the more applications will be running, from cached copies of attachments to ad blockers in the background. 'Those things just have to be reset at some point so they’re not always running,' says Nichols. 'It just builds up over time, and the more you use it, the slower it will get.' Plus, a weekly shutdown can avoid buggy technology. You’ve probably had computer issues that a simple reset fixed, and making that reboot a habit can nip those problems in the bud, says Nichols. 'It resets the computer and gives it a fresh start,' he says. If your computer is still having some tech issues after rebooting, try these 6 ways to make your laptop run faster.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/this-is-how-often-you-really-should-be-shutting-down-your-computer/ar-BBUcEfW?li=BBnb7Kz
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02/26/2019
Is this possible regarding Federer's quest for 100th career title?
Longer it takes to win it, more chronic, severe and incapacitating will be the mental block producing something called the paralysis? It's possible.
Add not winning it @ events infested with Tomato Cans like it currently is @ Dubai - forget that most seeds are already out (Cilic -3) after round one - and the train has nowhere else to sail except south.
It's the same BS that inflicts cricket clowns reaching 99 runs - and sometimes failing to get to 100 - EVER.
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The nervous nineties is a commonly used term in cricket.
The term refers to a specific form of analysis paralysis, felt by a batsman when he has scored more than 90 runs in an innings, and is nervous because of the pressure and desire to convert this into a century (100 runs), which is considered to be a milestone of success in the game. Therefore this situation is referred to as batsmen being in the nervous nineties. Batsmen tend to bat in a more conservative manner when they are close to their century, in order to avoid getting out and thus missing out on the milestone. Batsmen dismissed on 99 are considered the unluckiest of the nervous nineties victims.
The opposing captain may position his fielders near the batsmen in order to create extra pressure to get the batsman out. As a result of this many batsmen fail to convert scores of nineties into centuries.
Statistically, one of the worst victims of the nervous nineties was Australian opener (and now commentator) Michael Slater, dismissed in the nineties 9 times in his test career, and surviving to make a century 14 times. West Indian batsman Alvin Kallicharran's record was similarly poor, dismissed in the nineties 7 times for 12 career centuries. India's most renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has scored in 90s 17 times in ODIs and 10 times in Test cricket and holds the record for highest number of dismissals in the 90s (a total of 27 times) across all forms of international cricket.
Sir Donald Bradman holds the record for most world centuries scored in a career without ever being dismissed in the nervous nineties: a total of 29 centuries. Greg Chappell (24 centuries) and Michael Vaughan (18 centuries) have the next best records.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nervous_nineties
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Is it a coincidence Nadal has been No. 2 for so long?
| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Not Seeded | Not Seeded |
| 2004 | Not Seeded | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Not Seeded |
| 2005 | Not Seeded | 4th | 4th | 2nd |
| 2006 | Did Not Play | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2007 | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2008 | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
| 2009 | 1st | 1st | Did Not Play | 3rd |
| 2010 | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
| 2011 | 1st | 1st | 1st | 2nd |
| 2012 | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | Did Not Play |
| 2013 | Did Not Play | 3rd | 5th | 2nd |
| 2014 | 1st | 1st | 2nd | Did Not Play |
| 2015 | 3rd | 6th | 10th | 8th |
| 2016 | 5th | 4th | Did Not Play | 4th |
| 2017 | 9th | 4th | 4th | 1st |
| 2018 | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 1st |
| 2019 | 2nd |
Won AO: 2009 - seeded 1.
Won FO: Won 6 seeded 2. Just 3 as No. 1.
Won W: 2008 and 2010 - seeded 2.
Won USO: 2010 (1), 2013 (2) and 2017 (1).
Translation: Could it be he relishes being an underdog - No. 2 or under - as much as Federer and Djokovic love No. 1 and being a front runner and 'visible'?
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02/25/2019
More photos.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on InstagramThank you @mrkimjones and Dior for making me look the part last night! @vanityfair #oscars
View this post on InstagramThis is 20+ years #tbt so who can name all of us on this pic?! Kdo nas vsechny pozna ?? 🤔
View this post on Instagram"If they think your dreams are crazy, show them what crazy dreams can do" #justdoit
View this post on InstagramJust another cute pic from the @laureussport academy! @djokernole @jelenadjokovicndf #monaco🇮🇩
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Shouldn't having basic knowledge of English be mandatory for expecting parents worldwide? If not, following will continue to freaking happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is 20freaking19. The world has freaking shrunk AND English is the dominant freaking language - for starters.
Naming countries and states should be next? Heard of Bangkok - to be polite?
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Photos.
US singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams (L) and US tennis player Serena Williams (C) attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
US Tennis woman Serena Williams presents an award during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
US Tennis woman Serena Williams presents an award during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
Pro tennis player Serena Williams arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Pro tennis player Serena Williams arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Pro tennis player Serena Williams arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
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What has Federer ALREADY reconciled with - as of today - regarding GOAT race?
That no matter what.......................Nadal WILL - in the VERY LEAST - match his Slam total - whether it's 20 or 21? He is STILL, however, hoping and wishing Djokovic will somehow throw a monkey in that wrench.
He knows Djokovic has NO freaking shot @ 20.
What about Nadal?
Nadal has a feeling that Djokovic will come REALLY REALLY close to his Slam total UNLESS he wins at least TWO Slams this year. He is, however, hoping and wishing Djokovic's surge tapers off - before he does.
Nadal may have reconciled with being AT BEST a GOAT (b) - given current conditions.
What about Djokovic?
To win five Slams past age 32 with that girly a frame WILL require 'outside' help. He knows he may not get to 20 but if he can somehow match Nadal at the pole by holding him down, he may have done his job sufficiently well to retire with contentment.
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Dilemma facing Federer fans.
If Federer is destined to NOT be the GOAT, should they root for Nadal or Djokovic to take that spot?
If Nadal takes the spot, there will be enough holes to allow Federer to still maintain semi-GOAT status, given his / Nadal's record @ WTF, weeks @ No. 1 etc.
If Djokovic takes the spot, Federer is freaking toast - altogether.
Since it's this freaking no freaking a brainer, what's the freaking Dalia Lama?
Could it be this?
"We hate Nadal so much that even if it requires 'sacrificing' Federer, we would rather NOT see him as the GOAT. Give it to Djokovic".
OR
"Even though we hate Nadal SO MUCH the fact that the first option will allow Federer to salvage something outweighs the animosity - barely. So rooting for Nadal".
Which one do most Federer fans want? Have a clue?
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Chat thread: 2019 Dubai, Acapulco and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dubai:
Federer (2) vs Tsitsipas (5).
WINNER: Federer.
-----------------------------
FINAL:
Acapulco:
Zverev (2) vs Kyrgios.
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Draw possibilities: 2019 Dubai. Conspiracy to 'hand' Federer his 100th title? Cilic and Tsitsipas @ other half?
| Round | Federer | Nishikori | Tsitsipas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kohlschreiber | Paire | Ebden | ||||
| 2nd | Verdasco | Moutet | Haase | ||||
| Quarter | Raonic (7) Fucsovics | Tsitsipas (5) | Nishikori (1) | ||||
| Semis | Boric Acid (4) | Cilic (3) | Cilic (3) | ||||
| Final | Nishikori (1) | Federer (2) | Federer (2) | ||||
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02/24/2019
More photos.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on InstagramIf they think your dreams are crazy, show them what crazy dreams can do. #justdoit
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Photos.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 24: Laslo Djere of Serbia and Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada pose with the former player Gustavo Kuerten on the podium after the singles final of the ATP Rio Open 2019 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 24, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 24: Laslo Djere of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the singles final of the ATP Rio Open 2019 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 24, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 23: Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada celebrates the victory against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay during the singles semi final of the ATP Rio Open 2019 at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 23, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 23: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland poses with the trophy after winning her Final Match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic on day seven of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 23: Winner Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and runner up Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic pose with the trophies after thier Final Match on day seven of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 23: Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan and Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic pose with their trophies after winning their Double's Final match against Lucie Hradecka of Czech Republic and Ekaterina Makarova of Russia on day seven of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 23: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after winning her Final Match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic on day seven of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Semi-finals match winner Daniel Evans of Great Britain in action against John Isner of USA at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on February 23, 2019 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Peter Staples/ATP World Tour via Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Semi-finals match winner Daniel Evans of Great Britain in action against John Isner of USA at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on February 23, 2019 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Peter Staples/ATP World Tour via Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 22: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates winning her Semi Final match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine on day Six of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 22, 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Quarter-finals match winner Mackenzie McDonald of USA shakes hands at the net with Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on February 22, 2019 in Delray Beach, Florida (Photo by Peter Staples/ATP World Tour)
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Points defending: 2019 Indian Wells. Think Federer could sink more @ rankings? Mar 4 - 17.
| Seed | Player | Points defending | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Novak Djokovic |
10 |  |
||||
| 2 |  Rafael Nadal |
0 | |||||
| 3 |  Alexander Zverev |
10 | |||||
| 4 |  Juan Martín del Potro |
1,000 | |||||
| 5 |  Kevin Anderson |
180 | |||||
| 6 |  Kei Nishikori |
0 | |||||
| 7 |  Roger Federer |
600 | |||||
| 8 |  Dominic Thiem |
45 | |||||
| 9 |  John Isner |
10 | |||||
| 10 |  Marin Čilić |
45 |
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Oscars 2019 – Presenters List. Recognize someone??????????
Oscars 2019 – Presenters List
José Andrés
Awkwafina
Javier Bardem
Angela Bassett
Chadwick Boseman
Dana Carvey
Emilia Clarke
Daniel Craig
Laura Dern
Chris Evans
Tina Fey
Elsie Fisher
Whoopi Goldberg
Danai Gurira
Brian Tyree Henry
Samuel L. Jackson
Stephan James
Allison Janney
Michael B. Jordan
Michael Keaton
Keegan-Michael Key
Brie Larson
Queen Latifah
KiKi Layne
John Lewis
Jennifer Lopez
Diego Luna
James McAvoy
Melissa McCarthy
Frances McDormand
Helen Mirren
Jason Momoa
Tom Morello
John Mulaney
Kacey Musgraves
Mike Myers
Trevor Noah
Gary Oldman
Sarah Paulson
Tyler Perry
Amy Poehler
Krysten Ritter
Sam Rockwell
Paul Rudd
Maya Rudolph
Amandla Stenberg
Barbra Streisand
Charlize Theron
Tessa Thompson
Pharrell Williams
Serena Williams
Constance Wu
Michelle Yeoh
http://www.justjared.com/2019/02/24/oscars-2019-full-performers-presenters-list/
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Did you know?
Most (all?) new or newer TVs are equipped with a microphone that records what you say and do (like how often - and when - you leave the room etc.). Just look around and you will find it.
Rationale?
Monitor ratings.
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GOAT winner with 'slimmest of margin' scenarios for Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
Federer wins:
Federer 20 Slams.
Nadal 19 without AO / WTF.
Djokovic 19 without FO.
Nadal wins:
Federer: 20.
Nadal: 21 with AO and / or WTF.
Djokovic: 19.
Djokovic wins:
Federer: 20.
Nadal: 20.
Djokovic: 20 with FO and / or total weeks @ No. 1 record. Or just weeks @ No. 1 will suffice?
Which one is MOST likely?
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Seeds @ 2019 Dubai Championships featuring Federer: Feb 25 - Mar 2.
| Country | Player | Ranking1 | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN |
Kei Nishikori | 6 | 1 |
| SUI |
Roger Federer | 7 | 2 |
| CRO |
Marin Čilić | 10 | 3 |
 RUS |
Karen Khachanov | 11 | 4 |
 GRE |
Stefanos Tsitsipas | 12 | 5 |
| CRO |
Borna Ćorić | 13 | 6 |
 CAN |
Milos Raonic | 14 | 7 |
| RUS |
Daniil Medvedev | 15 | 8 |
- Rankings are as of February 18, 2019.
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Roger Federer heads into the Dubai Championships on Monday convinced that it's only a matter of time until he wins his record-setting 100th career title.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who has long used the emirate as a winter training base, will take to the court for the first time since his Australian Open fourth-round defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek youngster is also in the Dubai field, buoyed by his Marseille title win on Sunday.
The 37-year-old Swiss, seeded second behind tournament debutant Kei Nishikori, explained on Sunday that he is perfectly content to let things take their natural course and is not stressing over finally cracking his trophy century.
"That's got to be the mindset, that you try your best every match, every week anyway," said Federer, who reached 99 titles last October.
"Things fall into place or they don't. It's not because of lack of effort."
The tennis icon added: "We've been talking about 99 titles ever since Basel, every tournament I've played.
"There's nothing new. Of course, coming to Dubai where I've enjoyed a lot of success sort of makes you believe maybe it could happen here.
"Then again, the draw is tough. I haven't played in a few weeks so you reset everything, get ready for your first round, hope everything is going to click again here in Dubai."
Federer will be starting his quest for a record eighth Dubai title as he takes a 13-0 head-to-head record into his first-round contest on Monday against longtime friend Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The German went down to Federer in the Rotterdam second round a year ago, with the Swiss winning the tournament and taking back the ATP number one ranking at the record age of 36.
"I just practised with Kohlschreiber a couple (of) days ago, we played two sets basically," said Federer.
"We really both know what we're getting into. He looks good, so it's going to be tough."
The crowd at the Aviation Club will be delighted to see Federer return for the first time since 2017, when he lost in the second round to Evgeny Donskoy.
"It gives me confidence that I know I can play well here in Dubai on this court in these conditions," he added.
"But conditions are playing much, much slower than the previous years.
"You can really grind a player down now. It's been actually quite a big change. I'm excited to be here.
"I do believe this surface also lends itself very well for me to play well here. Hope I can show it tomorrow."
Top seed Nishikori will open his campaign against Frenchman Benoit Paire, but is not in action on Monday.
https://sports.yahoo.com/federer-takes-century-quest-home-dubai-142424202--ten.html
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A woman was giving a man a good game to the delight of 13,832 fans in the Caesars Palace outdoor stadium. But Jimmy Connors in workmanlike fashion rallied just enough after a slow start to beat an error-prone Martina Navratilova. From Gary Moser. Thanks.
GARY MOSER
We've all HEARD about it plenty. Here's a contemporaneous [ next day ] account:
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02/23/2019
02/22/2019
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova is in hot water again over anti-trans comments. An article she wrote for the Sunday Times has stirred controversy and caused an LGBT athletes group to remove her from their board and completely cut ties.
In the article, which was posted on Sunday, Navratilova referred to trans women as men who “decide to be female,” and wrote that it would be “cheating and unfair” for them to compete against cisgender women (women who had been assigned female at birth). She argued that “it’s insane and it’s cheating” that “a man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organization is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision and go back to making babies if he so desires.”
Navratilova’s comments did not sit well with the organization Athlete Ally. Navratilova had been involved with Athlete Ally as an ambassador, and also held a seat on its advisory board. In the wake of her article, Athlete Ally released a statement announcing that it had completely cut ties with Navratilova, removing her from the advisory board and as an ambassador.
Martina Navratilova’s recent comments on trans athletes are transphobic, based on a false understanding of science and data, and perpetuate dangerous myths that lead to the ongoing targeting of trans people through discriminatory laws, hateful stereotypes and disproportionate violence. As an organization dedicated to addressing root causes of homophobia and transphobia in and through sport, we will only affiliate with those committed to the same goal, and not those who further misinformation or discrimination in any way.
This isn’t the first time Navratilova has come under fire for making anti-trans comments. In December she tweeted a controversial statement about trans women athletes:
“Clearly that can’t be right. You can’t just proclaim yourself a female and be able to compete against women. There must be some standards, and having a penis and competing as a woman would not fit that standard…”
Navratilova then deleted the tweet and pledged to educate herself on the issue while being “quiet about it” in the meantime. Judging by the outcry from her article, Navratilova might want to hit those books again and continue her self-education on trans issues.
https://sports.yahoo.com/lgbt-group-cuts-ties-martina-navratilova-transphobic-comments-185318365.html
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Sampras, most likely (most certainly?), will have the following bragging rights over Federer?
That he not only enjoyed undisputed GOAT status for about EIGHT years (Federer won his 15 Slam @ 2010 right? Sampras won 14 in 2002), he also wasn't dethroned while still active.
Has Federer EVER enjoyed undisputed GOAT tag? Isn't that a lost cause now - irrefutably?
Besides, will it be the first time in the history of history that a unanimous GOAT would be dethroned while still NOT retired?
Not enough?
How about relegated to No. 3 - forget GOAT, sheep or even a horse? Isn't there a precedent with Sampras who is now what No. 4 - from undisputed clown?
Translation: Win the long race - at the END - after the front runners are out of gas? Less pressure? Greater accolades?
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02/21/2019
Have we reached the point @ GOAT race where two will experience such extreme bitterness that it will make Agassi look like the most content clown on the planet?
Premise:
ALL three near-certainly NOW give themselves a VERY realistic shot @ GOAT status.
To now be THIS close and NOT get it - specially when the clown anointed will stay there forever - can result in NOTHING but intolerable pain - for the rest of life.
Who do you think will experience MOST pain? Federer? Duh!!!!!
Least? Djokovic?
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No one better than Novak Djokovic at his best: Andre Agassi. From Veglia. Thanks.
VEGLIA
Read more at:
Andre gives a short discussion on GOAT that I totally agree with, word for word. Borg skipped 11 AO on grass!!! Lendl skipped RG to prepare to W. And so on. Numbers are not the way to compare.
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02/19/2019
Quiz question.
Tennis player looks 100% better in retirement than he / she did when active.
Name the player.
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What's ABSOLUTELY unique about the GOAT race under way in tennis between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic - in the entire sporting world?
That the anointed GOAT will NEVER be dethroned?
EVEN if someone gets to say 21 or 22 Slams - given the pathetic state of tennis after these three - 'the emergence through the 'top four (three?)' considered the best tennis has ever produced' - will stand as an impossible hurdle to overcome to pass them.
Who was the GOAT before Jordan? Magic? Heck, Jordan is lucky he has not been upstaged already. Had Kobe and Shaq stayed together, Jordan would have been dethroned - even after factoring in the 'duo' factor because two would have blown past six rings thereby passing the tipping point for the final decision.
Heck, he dodged the sandal with LeBron too.
Isn't Nicklaus lucky too?
Point?
Most (all?) current GOATs @ other sports are susceptible, right? Other than Ali, of course.
Whoever comes through the current tennis race will NOT be?
Think that elevates the degree of urgency - a little bit - thereby forcing the three to engage the 'do or die' mode? Federer's shameless point grab for Wimbledon part of the same BS? It's possible.
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Serena ranked in top 10 for first time as a mom. Dropped to as low as No. 491.
Serena Williams took another step on the ladder back to the top of the women’s tennis circuit.
The superstar made her first appearance in the tennis rankings top 10 since she gave birth to her daughter, Olympia, in September 2017. She’s ranked No. 10 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.
Williams, 37, is third all-time with 319 total weeks at No. 1 and fell in the rankings while away from tennis on maternity leave.
Climbing back after birth
Williams, who has 23 Grand Slam titles, lost her top ranking in the sport when she left to give birth and take maternity leave. She did not play in tournaments in order to bond with Olympia, care for the newborn and also herself recover after life-threatening complications during birth.
While she was gone, she dropped in ranking since she wasn’t playing majors. Points are earned by placing at tournaments and they expire from a player’s total after 52 weeks.
It dropped to as low as No. 491, per the Associated Press. She played the French Open in spring 2018 unseeded despite winning her last major, the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams reached two Grand Slam finals last calendar year. She lost to Angelique Kerberat Wimbledon and Naomi Osaka at the U.S. Open. The success has slowly catapulted her back to the top of the rankings, where she now sits at No. 10.
Per the WTA, she benefited from players failing to defend their ranking points in tournaments to continue moving so far up. She last played in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Osaka is ranked No. 1. Simona Halep is second and Sloane Stephens is third.
Williams inspires rule change
The WTA announced the “Special Ranking Rule” in December that allows women to “freeze” their ranking during an injury, illness or pregnancy. The ranking they held prior to the leave would stay and be usable for up to three years upon return to the game.
It also applies to women who adopt, use surrogacy or become legal guardians of a child. In those instances the rank holds for two years.
The rank will be used for seeding without displacing a seeded player. The pregnancies of Williams and Victoria Azarenka reportedly inspired the rule change.
The ruling would allow for players to start their families without worrying about losing their spot in the sport, then having to wait as points accrue to return to their ranking. It also allows a more fair draw for the players in the opening rounds who draw stiff competition, such as Williams, who are far more talented than their ranking suggests.
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Clay king Nadal opens tennis academy in Mexico.
Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has opened a new academy in Mexico at the Caribbean seaside resort of Cancun.
The Costa Mujeres center is an extension of Nadal's original academy based on his native Mallorca.
"We've been coming here for many years and we know the area," said the 11-time French Open champion at a press conference in Cancun on Monday.
The tennis center includes eight floodlit clay courts, a paddle court, gymnasium and a sports clothing and equipment store.
Although the center will initially cater to tourists and locals, Nadal said "one of the medium- and long-term aims is to contribute to the development of tennis in Mexico".
Mexico's most successful ever player was Rafael Osuna, a former world number one who claimed the US Open title in 1963.
He also won three Grand Slam doubles titles and the Olympic doubles gold medal in 1968 when tennis was a demonstration event.
He helped Mexico to the 1962 Davis Cup final, their only ever appearance in the team competition championship decider.
World number two Nadal is due to play in the Acapulco Open next week, an event he has won twice before although he had to pull out before his first match last year due to injury.
https://sports.yahoo.com/clay-king-nadal-opens-tennis-academy-mexico-170912513--spt.html
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No. 1 Naomi Osaka loses 1st match since splitting from coach.
Naomi Osaka lost her first match since moving up to No. 1 in the WTA rankings - and first since splitting from her coach.
The two-time major champion had trouble with her serve and was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by 67th-ranked Kristina Mladenovic at the Dubai Championships in a little more than an hour on Tuesday.
Afterward, Osaka wiped away tears while speaking to reporters and discussing the difficulty of dealing with her new-found spot atop the sport.
''I don't think I necessarily understand what position I'm in, in a way. Because last year, I wasn't even anywhere close to this ranking. People didn't pay attention to me - and that's something that I'm comfortable with,'' Osaka said.
''I don't really like attention,'' she said. ''It's been a little tough.''
Playing a second-round match after an opening bye as the tournament's top seed, Osaka won only 5 of 27 second-serve points, just 19 percent, and barely half of her first-serve points, 12 of 22.
She was broken seven of the nine times she served.
Mladenovic came into the Dubai Championships with a record of 0-4 in 2019.
Osaka had not competed since winning the Australian Open in January for her second consecutive Grand Slam title, a victory that also allowed her to become the first tennis player from Asia to lead the rankings.
Last week, Osaka announced on Twitter that she would no longer work with coach Sascha Bajin, who began coaching her before last season and helped her win the U.S. Open in September.
Osaka didn't offer an explanation for the split at the time, but addressed it during a media availability before the Dubai tournament, saying: ''Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but it wasn't. ... I think my reason is I wouldn't put success over my happiness.''
In other action Tuesday at the hard-court tournament, second-seeded Petra Kvitova - the runner-up to Osaka at the Australian Open - beat Katerina Siniakova 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4; third-seeded Simona Halep - Osaka's predecessor at No. 1 - defeated Eugenie Bouchard 7-6 (5), 6-4; and No. 4 seed Karolina Pliskova edged Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
No. 7 seed Kiki Bertens lost to Viktoria Kuzmova 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6), while No. 11 Daria Kasatkina was eliminated by 20-year-old American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
https://sports.yahoo.com/no-1-naomi-osaka-loses-1st-match-since-192426677--ten.html
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Could Stan Wawrinka derail Novak Djokovic again?
After an injury-hit eighteen months, Stan Wawrinka is beginning to play his best tennis once again, reaching his first final for almost two years in Rotterdam last week. It was a result which brought joy to presenters David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport), Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport, Amazon Prime) and Matt Roberts as they discussed his comeback on The Tennis Podcast.
“I thought we were looking at a finished player," says Law of the way Wawrinka played on his return from knee surgery last year. “He looked like he was on somebody else’s legs. They didn’t seem to belong to him.”
“In June last year Wawrinka was in a bad way when he lost to Andy Murray in Eastbourne. I never thought he’d be anywhere close to what I saw in Rotterdam," adds Whitaker.
With Wawrinka fit and firing again, he certainly brings a different dimension to a men’s tour that has been dominated in recent months by Novak Djokovic. The runaway World No.1 is unbeaten in his last 21 Grand Slam matches, and he will head to Paris in May attempting to win four consecutive Grand Slams for the second time in his career.
But according to Law, Whitaker and Roberts, the re-emergence of Stan Wawrinka as a genuine force could be one of the biggest obstacles blocking Djokovic’s path, particularly because the Swiss has shown previously that he has the pedigree to stop Djokovic on the biggest stage.
“If Wawrinka can maintain this level and even go up a couple more notches, he’s going to be a really significant player this year”, believes Roberts. “Because if there’s one guy who can trouble Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam, it’s Stan Wawrinka. He’s beaten him in two finals in New York and Paris, and in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open.”
Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka’s decision to split from her coach Sascha Bajin dominates much of the podcast discussion. What could be the reasons behind the split? Should we have seen it coming? Why do coaching relationships rarely last long? And how important is it that Osaka is prioritising her mental health over her on-court success?
https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis-podcast-could-stan-wawrinka-081731034.html
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