07/06/2007
Splendor in the Grass
Novak Djokovic of Serbia battled Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis for five hours to advance to a semifinal showdown with Rafael Nadal, below, in the fourth longest match in Wimbledon history. The 20-year-old cutie loves to take his shirt off when he wins -- and who's complaining? -- but was too tired to even do so after this epic (so I'll just post a photo of him from yesterday's win over Lleyton Hewitt instead). Roger Federer awaits the winner of Andy Roddick vs. Frenchman Richard Gasquet (who's also been known to go shirtless), which is going on now, in a tournament that's been surprisingly exciting given the state of the game.
Posted 11:29 AM EST by Kenneth Walsh in Tennis | Permalink
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I don't know anything about tennis, but I've been watching Wimbledon this year and have been riveted. So help a newbie out -- what's the current "state of the game" that would make a tennis fan expect this to be boring?
Posted by: Billy | Jul 6, 2007 12:09:50 PM
Roger Federer cleans house on grass courts. He's won, what is it, like 30+ matches in a row on grass courts and the last 3 (?) Wimbledon's. Essentially, he can't be beaten so it's sort of accepted that everyone else is just there to fill the bracket. Besides him, there is sort of a drought on the big names. Without Agassi, the only American most people know/follow is Roddick, who is spotty, but quite good actually on grass courts. Then there is Nadal, who's also good, but really just rocks the clay courts and is still working on his grass game. So really, there is a huge space right now waiting for some good up and comers to fill. But to rocket past Federer, or to even just challenge him, under most circumstances, players need to be having their best match times 10.
Posted by: David | Jul 6, 2007 12:50:58 PM
Please do not post scores. Some of us actually play tennis and watch tennis and not interested in seeing scores before we get home and watch them on our DVR's.... I'm very disappointed. I avoid sites that might talk tennis during the slams, and this is not a site I would expected this from....
Posted by: Roy | Jul 6, 2007 12:55:07 PM
David, I agree with you about Federer. However, Canas beat him twice in two consecutive events. Hard to explain, yes...
Posted by: roy | Jul 6, 2007 1:09:14 PM
If you know Kenneth, you'll know that he's a tennis nut. That's why I love him.
PS - Does anyone else think Djokovic looks like an Eastern European twink porn star? God bless the little lad.
Posted by: Toddyy | Jul 6, 2007 1:15:54 PM
Hurry back, Andy!
Your substitute host is tossing us nothing but softballs.
I'd have bought People Magazine if I wanted this crap.
Posted by: Stephen | Jul 6, 2007 1:54:28 PM
Give me a frickin break, Stephen. Right...the typical "sportrait" is journalistic dynamite and TOTALLY not just a bunch of skin shots like this. Hate to break it to you, but Towleroad will win no Pulitzers, and this website is basically the gay version of People Magazine/Readers Digest. If you want something meaningful, get off your ass and go read a novel.
Posted by: scientitian | Jul 6, 2007 2:09:41 PM
Have you seen Cruel and Unusual Stephen?
Why the hell would you insult someone who is doing someone else a favor? and doing a great job i might add.
I hate to speak for someone else, but why are there always Bitchy Queens like the you floating around?
Jake
Posted by: Jake | Jul 6, 2007 2:19:26 PM
Can I also mention that this Djokovic dude is too effing cute for his own good?
Posted by: scientitian | Jul 6, 2007 3:38:51 PM
I'm obsessed with little Nadal, so freaking cute. His face squinches up like a little monkey's when he hits the ball with those beautiful arms. aww...
Posted by: Aatom | Jul 6, 2007 4:55:08 PM
What about Richard Gasquest, currently playing Andy Roddick at Wimbledon?
He is tasty...
Posted by: cal | Jul 6, 2007 5:17:17 PM
I believe when refering to the 'state of the game' he actually meant the 'state of the game in the US'. The state of the game in the rest of the world is very good with a number of small and large countries picking up the game and producing very talented young players. Federer is dominant now, but he is the most talented player ever, it would be strange if he was not dominating. However he is getting older and there are a number of players around 20 who will catch him up. As far as Nadal goes he proved last year when he reached the final of Wimbledon and took a set off Federer that he could play on all surfaces.
This might not be the place to mention the women's game but there has never been such depth of talent and competition (even though Venus and Serena are the only Americans)
Posted by: pete | Jul 6, 2007 7:14:25 PM
oooo nice pics. love the skin~
Posted by: Palm Springs Savant | Jul 7, 2007 3:14:20 AM
Damn when did tennis players get so hot?!?
http://myguystyle.blogspot.com
Posted by: DMC | Jul 7, 2007 3:29:46 AM
i watched the semi with nadal and djokovic. it was great while it lasted. they are both so goddamnned hot. nadal, however... those guns, that ass... jebus, i'm getting the vapors. i'm taking to my bed.
Posted by: nic | Jul 7, 2007 3:38:03 PM
Roger Federer is a tennis GOD. I cannot wait to see him take his 5th title tomorrow! I agree Nadal is awesome and would give Roger a run for the money, however, he is best on clay. Looking at Roger on the court makes me so freakin hot! I would kill to have a moment with that man!!
Posted by: Benjamin | Jul 7, 2007 11:16:36 PM
BENJAMIN, roger is perfection as far as tennis goes. rafa nadal is such a perfect little package all the way around. such hotness. slammin' bod. cute+ + +
Posted by: nic | Jul 8, 2007 1:59:07 AM
Nic,
Thanks for giving Roger the recognition he deserves. I totally agree with you about Nadal. Hot, slammin bod and cute. However, when he plucks his wedge in front of God and everyone on court, it just takes the moment away. Roger is a little classier than that!!
Posted by: Benjamin | Jul 8, 2007 11:24:24 AM
i dunno, benjamin, i think his "pickin' his snazzy," as one of the aussies put it, is kinda endearing. anyhoo, the tennis menz field is off-the-charts hot. and today's match was sublime. right now, it's these two, roger and rafa, then there's the rest of the world.
Posted by: nic | Jul 8, 2007 5:05:03 PM
Amen!
Posted by: benjamin | Jul 8, 2007 7:55:51 PM
billy, the "state of the game" is purely an american perspective. there is obviously nothing wrong with the state of tennis when you can see two immensely talented men like roger (swiss) and rafa (spanish) play a splendid 5 set match on grass like they did today. kudos to both of them.
Posted by: nic | Jul 8, 2007 8:04:42 PM