Yawn

[Twodogs]

Re: Yawn

Whilst I'm capable of appreciating some moments and events I'm not a big fan of individual sports like tennis and golf.

I'm fascinated by team sports because I love to see how the individuals work together to make a engine that is more powerful than it's constituent parts. Also when you acheive something in a team sport you have your teammates to celebrate with and you form a bond with those people that's special and last your whole life. It doesnt matter if it was the B matting in cricket or FDFL 4ths.


I tend to agree with Ernie. This time of year is a bit of a bore that has to be endured rather than enjoyed sport wise. As soon as the Tennis and the GP is out the way with it's time to start counting sleeps until the real footy starts. And for me this season cant come quick enough.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Yawn

Went along to the Hit for Haiti fundraiser at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday that Federer organised at the last minute, featuring Fed himself, Nadal, Roddick, Djokovic, Lleyton, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Sam Stosur (all no.1s at some point except Djokovic -- Sam has been no.1 in doubles), and Jim Courier as the chair umpire! Arguably as talented a collection of players as has ever been assembled on the one court.

The players were all miked up and split into Red and Blue teams (the colours of the Haitian flag) to play a set of doubles (occassionally triples!) with substitutions; and because it was an exhibition match, with zero pressure, they were pulling trick-shots (which of course they put away for the 'real' pressure matches) out of their butts in these crazy long rallies while cracking wise, which made one realise exactly how ridiculously talented these guys were. I've been to a LOT of tennis, but this was far more entertaining than almost anything I had ever seen (including most Grand Slam finals and semi-finals).

ps. Oh, and the players hit a few balls up into the stands, and I caught one signed by Andy Roddick. I stood up and it just popped right into my hands. All that fielding practice in my youth had to come in handy some day, I suppose.

[Mantis]

Re: Yawn

The players were all miked up and split into Red and Blue teams (the colours of the Haitian flag) to play a set of doubles (occassionally triples!) with substitutions; and because it was an exhibition match, with zero pressure, they were pulling trick-shots (which of course they put away for the 'real' pressure matches) out of their butts in these crazy long rallies while cracking wise, which made one realise exactly how ridiculously talented these guys were. I've been to a LOT of tennis, but this was far more entertaining than almost anything I had ever seen (including most Grand Slam finals and semi-finals).

I saw snippets of it on the news and it looked brilliant.

Reminds me a little of the following vision taken at the US Masters where the players do trick shots at the 16th hole in the practice rounds by attempting to skip the ball across the lake and up onto the green, the player hitting this shot is Vijah Singh.

[azabob]

Re: Yawn

No worries. Sorry I hit a nerve.

What happened today?

No dramas. Are you refering to the voilence? Not sure what happened, but it is a reocurring theme though. It appears to involve the same countries supporters each time.

[Twodogs]

Re: Yawn

Went along to the Hit for Haiti fundraiser at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday that Federer organised at the last minute, featuring Fed himself, Nadal, Roddick, Djokovic, Lleyton, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Sam Stosur (all no.1s at some point except Djokovic -- Sam has been no.1 in doubles), and Jim Courier as the chair umpire! Arguably as talented a collection of players as has ever been assembled on the one court.

The players were all miked up and split into Red and Blue teams (the colours of the Haitian flag) to play a set of doubles (occassionally triples!) with substitutions; and because it was an exhibition match, with zero pressure, they were pulling trick-shots (which of course they put away for the 'real' pressure matches) out of their butts in these crazy long rallies while cracking wise, which made one realise exactly how ridiculously talented these guys were. I've been to a LOT of tennis, but this was far more entertaining than almost anything I had ever seen (including most Grand Slam finals and semi-finals).

ps. Oh, and the players hit a few balls up into the stands, and I caught one signed by Andy Roddick. I stood up and it just popped right into my hands. All that fielding practice in my youth had to come in handy some day, I suppose.

I would have liked to have seen that. What was ther entry price?

[azabob]

Re: Yawn

I would have liked to have seen that. What was ther entry price?

I didn't go, but from what I understood it was something like $10 which was a donation? Fairly good effort by all involved from the players to the stadium and of course the public who went.

[Twodogs]

Re: Yawn

I didn't go, but from what I understood it was something like $10 which was a donation? Fairly good effort by all involved from the players to the stadium and of course the public who went.

Gee that's good value.

[Topdog]

Re: Yawn

Love Aus Open time. I'm very disappointed that I can't get there this year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Yawn

I didn't go, but from what I understood it was something like $10 which was a donation? Fairly good effort by all involved from the players to the stadium and of course the public who went.

Yep, it was a $10 entry fee, and there were people inside collecting extra donations in buckets, and the players also donated a substantial amount, plus contributions from Tennis Australia, Channel 7, ANZ (in collaboration with World Vision Australia) etc.

World Vision are still running a Haiti Earthquake appeal on our website, with regular updates of the situation on the ground for those who would like to keep tabs on the going-ons (oh, one of my day jobs is being an internal consultant for World Vision, for those that didn't know).

Link here: http://www.worldvision.com.au/Issues...arthquake.aspx