OFF: My Christmas Wish List for the 2008 Tennis Season
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Nov 30, 2007 | Print |
Dear Santa,
I know it is not exactly ideal tennis conditions where you live, but I happen to know for a fact that you enjoy catching a few matches when you come down to California and Florida every year for your spring vacation.
Being a stately, older gentleman, I think you’d prefer to see a little more serve and volleying, but I hope you are okay that the game has progressed a bit from the first time you saw Suzanne Lenglen at Roland Garros.
Instead of asking for a $500 gold racquet like Serena’s or even shoes with my name on them, I will be a little less selfish this year when it comes to my Christmas list.
I know you had to check your naughty or nice list a few times just to make sure my name turned up on the right side, but I assure you; I tried to be a much better girl than usual in 2007.
My television screen is still intact, although a little banged up because of the balls hurled gently tossed at it during the rain delays at Wimbledon. Plus, my computer screen shows only a few scratches from where I bashed it with my racquet while “watching” live scoring.
But Santa, old habits die hard, and although I can’t promise too much for 2008, I’ll try to stop putting in earplugs every time I see Maria play.
With those confessions aside, could you help me out a bit this year? The list may be a bit long, but think of it this way, I’m only asking out of my love for the game.
No more on-court coaching
Because you are Santa, I know you understand the need for individuality. When your sleigh breaks down over Antarctica, you are the one responsible to fix it. Mrs. Claus doesn’t tag along to give you advice or make you stop and ask for directions when you can’t find my friend Jimmy’s house out in the Texas hill country. It’s the same way in tennis - that is why we call it singles, not group tennis.
Better multimedia section on the Tour website
Could you ask Larry to take a little bit of those millions he’s bagging from Sony Ericsson and the oil rich sheiks in the Middle East and spend it on renovating the Tour’s website? It’s so last year (actually older) when it comes to technology and fans would really like to see more video streaming, live radio, and frequent news updates, even during the off season.
Ask Maria and Co. to tone things down a bit
If Maria Sharapova could learn a new service motion in only a matter of weeks, I think she could at least take some time during the off season and work on toning down the grunts. Although, on second thought, I do remember reading somewhere that Beltone hearing aid company was looking for a new spokesperson.
Two Americans in second week of Roland Garros
Before you scratch this one out Santa, let me explain. I’m not asking for an American to win the French Open, because I have it on good authority that Justine has her heart set on a fifth title. But could at least two Americans stay alive into the second week? Need I remind you that Serena has indeed won the title before? And Venus isn’t too bad on clay, either. You can forget about Lindsay, though. Jagger doesn’t like the dirt too much, so his mommy’s going to stay home.
Venus and Serena to play Indian Wells
Santa, I know you were in the crowd that fateful day during your spring vacation, so I don’t have to tell you how awful it was in California. It was a bad situation, which resulted in very unsportsmanlike and rude behavior from some people in the crowd, but how about the spirit of forgiveness? I think it is sad that thousands of fans in the United States have been deprived of seeing two of America’s greatest athletes at home because of the actions of a crowd seven years ago.
Comebacks for Monica, Jennifer, and Mary
I know Monica and Jennifer have been on my list for a few years, but do you think you might put a good word in for me and ask them to return to the Tour? Obviously, I want them back only if they are healthy and able to compete, plus I would like to see Mary Pierce play again.
Santa, you don’t have to get me all these wishes, and I’ll be happy if only one or two arrives in 2008.
I hope you enjoy the tennis next season.
Signed,
Aaress
Folks, now that you have seen my wishes, do you have anything on your list for 2008? Enjoy discussing today’s Open Forum Friday topic in the comments and I’ll be back tomorrow with a post on Hawk-Eye. Have a great weekend!
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Rowan | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
Hi Aaress. I’ve been reading your posts for a while now, but I always use the RSS feed so this is my first time on the comments. RSS feeds are great.
Nice wish list. Can someone please tell me about the incident at Indian Wells with Venus and Serena? I’ve heard that they don’t want to go back there but I’m unsure about what actually happened. Thanks.
Aaress | Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
Hi Rowan,
Thanks for reading On the Baseline and for joining our discussion! Feel free to leave a comment anytime. By the way, I checked out your blog and have subscribed to it in my RSS reader. I look forward to reading more, especially during the ASB Classic!
In 2001, Venus Williams pulled out her upcoming semifinal match against Serena at Indian Wells because of an injury to her knee. It’s understandable that the crowd was upset, but some people took it too far by allegedly hurling racial slurs at the Williams family. Plus, the American crowd turned against Serena in the final versus Clijsters, even to the point of booing her.
Richard Williams was the most vocal of the family after the incident saying, and I quote, “It’s the worst act of prejudice I’ve seen since they killed Martin Luther King.”
Ever since then, Venus and Serena have vowed to never return to Indian Wells, despite its status as a Tier I tournament. Things will get even more interesting in 2009 when the Pacific Life Open is promoted to a mandatory event. If Venus and Serena continue to boycott Indian Wells, they could potentially face fines, and possibly even suspensions.
Hope this answered your question!
Cate | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
Sigh. I’m American too…but your wishes are so…sigh…nationalistic. Can’t you wish for players who aren’t American to do well too? I’d like to think we’re better than that…
Cate
Aaress | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
This tongue in cheek list of wishes for Santa is by no means conclusive of my hopes for the 2008 tennis season. If I were to write them all up, I’d be mailing a thesis to the North Pole.
Only two of the above wishes focused exclusively on Americans, and I’m not sure if you noticed that I did wish for the return of Mary Pierce, a French tennis player. Not to mention the fact that fans around the world would benefit from a more technologically advanced Tour website.
As for me, I believe in supporting the best player regardless of her country. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why I love professional tennis - it is a sport that allows me to follow the talents and skills of players from around the world.
Besides, if I focused only on Americans, I’d do better to choose a different sport to write about. With only two players from the USA in the top 40, I’d be a disgruntled fan in no time.
Aaress | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
BTW, for those of you who are not familiar with the term “tongue in cheek”, it means a type of subtle humor:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tongue-in-cheek
Rowan | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Aaress, that totally answered my question. The Indian Wells thing sounds pretty wild. For an American crowd to boo an American tennis player, that’s intense.
Yeah I’m looking forward to the ASB Classic too, it should be a great tournament, and lots of fun to write about.
Chris | Dec 1, 2007 | Reply
What I want in 2008:
- Venus or Serena/both to return to the #1 position
- Elena Dementieva to win a slam
- No more on-court coaching
- Lindsay Davenport or Mary Pierce to win the Olympics, preferably both in the final
- Something akin to the atpmasterseries.tv for WTA, instead of just live finals
- More early round coverage on TTC
- Someone new to win RG.
- Better quality matches.
I think that’s it.
Vicki | Dec 2, 2007 | Reply
I have one wish for next year and it quite simple Lindsay stay injury free for the whole year and has a great year on and off the court. May be throw in a fourth slam and olympic team selection and if she does another gold medal. I am I asking for too much. Ok that’s three wishes for Lindsay next year.
Alsacienne | Dec 2, 2007 | Reply
I wish for
- no injuries
- Amelie Mauresmo to return to form
- the new top 10 / top 20 players to become consistent and realize their potential
- someone to seriously challenge Justine
There’s probably more, but that’s all I can think of for now
Diane | Dec 4, 2007 | Reply
I don’t really mind on-court coaching, but Santa has got to turn those mikes off (go, Ivan Lendl!). I salute the coaches who either turned them off, or spoke in languages many people would not understand.
Louise | Dec 5, 2007 | Reply
Bah! Two Americans in the second week of the French Open, Bah-wow. Both the William sisters to return to the number 1 ranking? Strike two ‘Chris’. I also hope that Monica Seles does NOT attempt a comeback, because she’s past her prime, and she wont be able to keep up with the hard hitters. Hingis did it for a while, but then she couldnt keep up anymore.
But i would love
-Hingis’ name to be cleared
-Petrova to make it back into the top 5
-Kuznetsova to win Roland Garros
-Kuznetsove to also take the number 1 ranking (shes my fav player)
-Alicia Molik to amazingly win the Aussie Open for her home crowd (a.k.a me)
-To see the Australian Fed Cup team get back to the elite groups where they rightfully belong.
Rowan | Dec 6, 2007 | Reply
Alicia Molik winning the Australian Open would be pretty amazing. Sam Stosur could win a doubles trophy for the home crowd. Jamie Murray won one at Wimbledon.
Louise | Dec 6, 2007 | Reply
I reckon they both could actually. They should dump their partners and play together