Roger Federer wins the US Open!!! - Again

Way to go Roger!!! WHO!!!

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

He’s a machine! I didn’t watch him play as I was watching to see if Dale Jr. was going to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup, as well as watching Tiger win the BMW by 2 shots. However, to be alive during the time of Federer and Woods? It’s pretty cool. Now, I was also alive during the time of Borg, Mcenro, Connors, Courier, Lendel and Sampras, as well as Nicklaus and too many golf greats to mention…the 21st Century hasn’t been a let down.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Roger could possibly be the best tennis player in the history of the game. He is an absolute genius out there on the court. Guys like Roddick and Nadal make it look hard when they play, but Roger makes it look easy, because he’s THAT good!

He really doesn’t have that far to go to break just about every record there is in tennis.

I think the comparison of him to Tiger Woods is an unfair comparison. It takes an INCREDIBLE amount of ATHLETIC ABILITY to do what Roger does on the tennis court. To compare swinging a golf club from a stationary stance to moving all over a tennis court sprinting to this side and then to that side, swinging your racquet takes a whole lot more overall athletic ability and stamina. It takes no stamina to swing a golf club from a stance. That’s why guys like John Daly can win in golf. He wouldn’t last (5) minutes in a tennis match. Many golfers are not in very good shape, but they can still swing a golf club and even win tournaments. In tennis you can’t get by just swinging a tennis racquet, you also have to be able to run fast and do amazing acrobatic maneuvers to win points. That’s why I don’t think it’s a fair comparison. Tiger only has to be good at swinging his club, Roger has to be in superior physical condition every time he wins another title.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Hey Tom, it was great game.. I’ve been watching it too and it ended 1.30 AM my time ug… Novak is getting better and better and has coach from Slovakia but I’m glad Roger won this one and hope he will reach 14 grandslam titles like Pete Sampras next year and maybe more in the next years…

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Martin_Sojka/1357216976

not that Tiger isn’t in good physical condition!! Have you seen his muscles?? !!! That man works out.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Martin,

Yes, Novak is getting better, and I believe he will be the successor to Roger’s dominance in tennis. He has all the weapons and will only get better. Like you, I’m glad Roger took it this time, but look out, Novak is not going away – he will be back!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Debbie,

No doubt Tiger has muscles, but he wouldn’t last 30 minutes on the court in professional tennis. He is in good shape FOR A GOLFER, but he would have to be in TEN TIMES better shape to have half a chance at a professional tennis title. It takes more than swinging a club / racquet to get to the top in tennis – you must be in tip-top physical condition to win titles in tennis. Guys like John Daly or Craig Stadler (aka, “The Walrus”) wouldn’t have a prayer in a professional tennis match.

That’s also why golfers have longer careers at the professional level. Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis when he was 36 years old. You can play golf professionally much longer than that (into your sixties if you want). That’s why I think it’s RIDICULOUS to compare how many titles a pro tennis player and a pro golf player have. It’s a comparison of apples and oranges. It would be like comparing a olympic down hill skier with a billiard player.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

hahaha someone really loves the game of tennis :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Tom, the comparison was between two athletes that have mastered their game and are at the top of the heap. No disservice meant to either man. As they are apparently (according to both in interviews) great friends who play golf and tennis together, I felt the comparison could be made. I’m sure Mr. Federer would have some difficulty making the cut on the Nationwide Tour, let alone the PGA Tour. However, I agree it’s an apples to elephants comparison if you want to look at them both with a tennis racquet in their hand.

And now for something to lighten up this discussion, a comment that my father made regarding both games, but because you love tennis so much, I’ll poke it at you….”Tennis would be a great game, if it wasn’t for the people that play it.” Please know I’m giggling in my chair when I say it. :)

Oh, my mother was Turkish Jr. Womens Tennis Champion back in her day. Both games get a lot of attention in my house.

Cheers!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Tom, I can just see the loving banter between family members as games and players are picked on.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Oh my. You’re right Tom. I should be ashamed comparing the two of them. As much I think the media can go take a big jump in a lake, it looks like Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TSN, and the New York Times have all made the same comparison. I take it back. I would hate to be considered as agreeing with the media. You’re right. They can’t be compared…shame on me.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Mot,

Thank you for your public profession of repentance on this issue. I accept your well deserved apology ;^D

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

hahahaa made me chuckle out loud

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Mot,

Now, about that comparison of Mr. Federer not making the cut in the PGA. Sure, he couldn’t swing a club like Tiger (because it’s not his sport), but it wouldn’t be because of physical fitness or athletic ability.

But, Tiger couldn’t make it in tennis, not because he couldn’t swing the racquet quite as good as Roger, but because of the physical fitness and stamina which is required in that sport. That’s why it’s an apples and elephants comparison. Guys that play golf ride on golf carts to the next hole. Tennis players RUN on EVERY point, and jump, and slide, and even get injured. When was the last time a golfer got injured playing golf. Not that I’ve got a problem with golf or golfers, it’s just that they cannot be compared to tennis players because of many differences.

Most likely, Tiger will be able to play his game well into his old age. If his sport was tennis, there is no way he could pull that off. So, of course, he should be able to pile up more titles in a lifetime – he’ll be able to do it twice as long. That’s why it’s an unfair comparison IMHO.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

devil’s advocate—although you can’t compare lifetime averages, you could compare event averages..(wins per major events played)

and I think I saw a golf player with a blister on his finger once, due to swinging the club!
and I’d hate to say that some of the golf players are NOT in as good of shape, because I don’t know what they do in their off time.

the fitness levels required for some careers is unbelievable. My daughter and I were watching a percussion group perform recently.. and, my oh my, the endurance level, the physical stamina, the muscles … and the show was over an hour long. They were bamming, jumping, running, twisting, ... the entire time. Fit as a fiddle – or drum, I should say.

And here I sit.. blogging out on the couch.

Tom, I’m curious, are you a tennis player? You are obviously really passionate about the sport and the players.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

LOL…Hardly a humble opinion, Tom. I think the PGA guys would take exception to the “golf cart,” comment, however, as I grow weary of being taken out of context this morning, I’ll move on. :)

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I was just speaking with Martin. He makes an excellent point that probably neither Roger, nor Tiger, could hold a candle to Lee when it comes to a demilune veneered table. Champions in our own right, I guess.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Debbie,

Yes, I am a tennis player and have been since I was twelve. I have a good idea of what it takes to play a (5) set match and believe me, it takes a lot – much more than 18 or even 36 holes of golf. I have also played golf and know something of what is required to win in that sport. There is a lot of finesse and skill in golf, and it’s a difficult sport to be good in (not to mention all the money it costs to buy clubs, lessons, and green fees), but the physical agility and athleticism aren’t as important.

Both of my (2) sons are good tennis players, and we have had some absolutely wonderful times out on the court. In fact, we’ll be playing this weekend when they both come to town!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

that’s awesome!! Keep swinging :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m sorry Mot, I forgot that you’re a golfer. But I still think you’re a great guy!

Just having a little sport talk here.

I agree that Lee is a “master” at what he does as is Mark and others here at L J land.

Believe me, I don’t worship professional athletes, but I guess I had to let off some steam over this comparison. But, ultimately, in the big scheme of things, it doesn’t matter a hill of beans.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Agreed!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

ok Mot.. how did you do that??

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Everybody knows how to do that…

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Don’t they?

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

I guess some don’t.

It must really make you not knowing, heh, Deb!

Don’t fret, just and all will be revealed in time!

Google smilies. If you belong to other forums, most have emoticons like that. Tom and I just hijacked them from Woodnet.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

OK, Mot, you can remove the distasteful slur against tennis players on your “signature.” hehe!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Being an avid and rated tennis player (3.5 in my younger days) as well as a lover of golf (a 10 handicap) I’ll jump right into the fray here.

All sports have different levels of endurance Tom, some heavy endurance over short periods of time and some light endurance over long periods of time. Both are equally difficult and both equally test your athletic endurance and ability. Try keeping your focus while walking miles and miles in seering heat for 6 or 7 hours a day, 4 days in a row. You gave a few examples of golfers that were good but hardly great, probably because of there fitness, or lack of it. Most who win out there week after week are in superb shape. Fact is, that young lady who lost to Justine in the woman’s final looked like she could use to lose a few pounds (not that I’m being critical, I could never do what she did).

I’ll not try to disuade you from your theory Tom since, from your posts, you seem pretty set in your convictions. But I will say that you should consider that Jack Nicklaus was voted “Athlete of the Century” by people with perhaps a bit more sports knowledge and experience then you or I.

By the way, I think it’s interesting that just about every time a post on the site strays from woodworking, things get a little bit ummm, testy around here.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Yeah, Chip. Things get taken out of context quickly. “To be alive during the time of Federer and Woods…” seemed like a fairly non-inflammatory statement. However,... Tom and I do this from time to time. Men of passion!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Ahhh yes, passion. A nessesary component in love… and war. ;-)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

”By the way, I think it’s interesting that just about every time a post on the site strays from woodworking, things get a little bit ummm, testy around here.”- Chip

I agree Chip! I guess that’s why we shouldn’t stray too far from the woodworking theme. Good observation.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Chip,

If Mot wasn’t so opinionated, these things would never happen ;^D

But, I don’t care what anybody says; I still like him.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

I was by no means trying to stop banter about topics other than woodworking and am sorry if it came out that way. This is a community and as a community we should be able to share other thoughts and happenings in our lives just as we share our woodworking. As you mentioned Tom, it was just an observation and I was just curious that there seemed to be a consistency there. I think Mot put his finger on it… men of passion!

best regards,

Chip

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Chip,

I just commented to my wife the other day about the L J site that, one of the reasons we all get along so well here is that, by and large, we stick to the topic of woodworking. I think there is definitely something to that. But, I agree with you, that Mot is a bit touchy about certain subjects ;^D

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Lord have mercy. You two are real pieces of work. Ummm, WOODworking that is. ;-)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

You southerners…always trying to goad northern folk into a fight.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

<<< is above the Mason Dixon line. You two are exhausting. LOL.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Chip,

I agree, Mot really is a piece of work. Amen!

But, I still don’t care what anybody says, I think he’s a swell guy ;^D

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Hmmmm…never been called swell before. I’m pretty far north and born too late in the 60’s to know what that means, but, uhhh….thanks???

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Chip,

All kidding aside, would you consider Jack Nicklaus the “athlete” of the century? I know the media has dubbed him that, but would you?

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

late in the 60’s? you youngun’ you :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Centennial baby.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

ah yes… I remember going to Expo in ‘67 :)
What a grand time we had—biggest trip I’d ever been on. Road in a hovercraft. That was memorable (obviously).. and saw some big surround screen movie thingy.. that was really cool… let’s see.. what else do I remember… hmm yup.. that’s about it!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Deb, you’re to much.

Tom,

Just stating the facts. And it wasn’t dubbed, it was voted on by athletes, coaches, and yes, probably Sports Illustrated writers, sports writers, etc from past and present.

Don’t forget, athletics can run the gamut from huge spirts of energy over a short time (think olympic 50 yard dash champ) to smaller spirts of energy over much longer times. Jack Nicklaus’s professional carreer (remember now, little spirts) spanned more then 30 years. To be at the top of your game for 30 years? I’d say that’s pretty good and it seems so did a lot of other athletes, coaches, sports writers etc.

With all that said, I agree that golf may not be quite as hard as tennis (hears mot gasp). But if I’m going to concede that to you, now I want baseball off of the list of real sports. Does a baseball player even do as much as a golfer while playing (aside from the poor pitcher and catcher of course)? Shall we exclude baseball from our list?

How about a 350 lb. lineman for a football team that knows how to do one thing and one thing only, get his fat butt headed in a particular direction and KEEP it going that way about 30 times each Sunday (and it seems the Eagles can’t even do this right for God sake). Should we exclude football as a real sport? I don’t think so (not without someone forming a lynch mob anyway). While I love tennis and couldn’t agree more that it is a wonderful sport, do you see where I am going with this? Perhaps it’s all kind of relative as is the case with a lot of things in our lives.*

By the way, I once read an interview with Michael Jordon where he was asked which was harder basketball or golf. You don’t want to know what he answered.

• All of the above was stated with only the best of intentions and in the spirit of “passionate” debate. No people or animals were injured during the writing of this post and any resemblences to real people or animals was purely coincidental. ;-)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Chip,

OK, I’ll admit it. Football players, baseball players, and golfers are all in the same class of athletes
But, don’t tell Mot that we had this discussion!!!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

LOL…I’d like to see Federer standing on a defensive line. Now that would be fun to watch him scurry around. I think he might be praying for someone to throw him a little fuzzy ball that he could hit. Now, soccer players…I think everyone would have a tough time arguing that they have to be fairly fit. :) However, as my original point was only to state that I didn’t watch the great Federer play, because I was watching the great Woods play and that I was happy to be alive at the time of two such dominating athletes in their field…I don’t want to start wondering how long Jack Nicklaus could run around on the soccer pitch before he had coronary.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Hmmm, not a single reference to gray matter?

<vbg>
Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Bob,

Of course you have to have the “gray matter.” Without the whole package, you don’t win the titles. Physical ability without the ability to strategize won’t get the job done. Brain power without the physical fitness won’t do it either. Physical fitness, brain power, and giftedness in the sport are all necessary to be the best.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Unless you’re a golfer, right Tom? Then it’s just luck and a chance to drive a little electric car. But boy, those tennis players sure got some smarts.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

That’s right, Mot. I didn’t want to say it, but it appears you’ve just hit a grand slam home run with that one!

Yes, whack the little white ball and get into the cart and go for another ride. But, Mot, you’ve stated much more eloquently than I could have. Thank you my friend. You are a gentleman and a scholar

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

you didn’t mention the caddy they have with them to do the thinking for them

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Thank you so much, Debbie, for adding that detail. As I stated in an earlier post, it’s not enough to have the athletic ability to whack the ball, you also have to have brain power, and that’s one of the jobs of the caddy

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Now all we need on the links is those little dudes that run around and instantly clean up our mistakes and throw us balls so we don’t have to waste any of our superior athletic abilities walking 12 feet. I’m working on an implementation plan for that!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

You could always add that to the caddie’s list of responsibilities.

• Carry clubs and stock cooler.
• Calculate the distance to the hole.
• Choose the correct club for the golfer.
• Provide encouragement for golfer.
• Make sure math is correct on golfer’s score card.

Probably much more could be mentioned.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Don’t you have to be named, Chip, or Buffy, to play tennis? And speak in New England Lock Jaw? I thought you were from SC, Tom. Don’t you guys go to cookouts and play horse shoes? You might get yourself kicked outta the state promoting an elitist game like tennis. I’m just looking out for ya!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Far be it from me to correct someone about a name (especially when that person spells their name backwards) but I believe it’s Skip or Buffy that you have to be called to play tennis well. Chas would probably get you into the club too.

I was thinking that “most posts per day on LJ” should be a real sport to actually, complete with injuries (carpel tunnel, rear end sores, eye strain), a coaching staff (far to long to mention here) and more then 1,500 spectators. That evens the playing field for you two and may stop the bickering. Well… probably not.

Let the games begin! ;-)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Chip,

We were just having some fun with each other and our preferred sports. I think we’ve sufficiently settled the issue here, that tennis is THE better sport. Now Mot and I can get back to making sawdust

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Chip, I’m sorry…I did mean Skip. LOL. I’m a tool. I was just re-reading replies and Chip stuck in my head. I feel shame…as much as I’m really laughing, when I stop, I’ll feel shame.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

(but before we go… I do have to mention those helpers who run across the court to pick up the tennis balls that are missed or hit the net …. you know, can’t play favourites!
Oh and what about the spectators—either walking the 5 miles for the golf event or sitting, turning their necks back and forth… ...
ok I think I’m done – I don’t know much more about either game!!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

LOL. This post is like the energizer bunny….

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Do any of you guys rope? Which end?

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Wayne,

Mot started it…

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Tom A.

Rope what?

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

I’m guessing it is something like who is the cowboy and who is the calf, but I am not sure. Also, I’m guessing there is an athetic connection to roping as well.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I take my daughter to New York every year for a couple days during week one of the Open. It is a great venue. Did you know that tennis is now more popular than golf?

I bet that more people that rope play golf, than tennis. (Lets see if we can suck Tom A. into this.) In my neck of the woods, just about as many people that play golf also rope. As far as tennis courts, they are used by graffiti artists and skateboarders, and we flood them in the winter to play hockey on. As for tennis…not so much. We’re just simple folk up here though, and counting by 15’s just plum tuckers us out…we want to keep going to 45, but the all the sophisticants tell us we have to go to 40…then we go rope them.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

”Did you know that tennis is now more popular than golf?” – unisaw

Hey Mot, did you get that? Not too surprising to me though. It is much more exciting without a doubt

I’m still waiting for Tom A. to tell us about this “roping” thing

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

I just got back. I have to spend some time in the shop trying to make a living. Rope What? Why steers of course. You know, team roping. One guy called a header ropes the head and the other guy called a heeler ropes the heels. I forgot, they’re on horses. Good times are in 5 second area. By the way more ropers play golf than tennis. Most of us don’t go in for sports where guys wear short pants. besides we don’t know how to score” Love”. Well, most cowboys know about that but not as a score. Lots of us also ski. And hunt. I like polo. At least I get to stay horseback unless I fall off.
Tom

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Golfers seem to like polo also. I see it on a lot of their shirts and pants. ;-)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Yeah, they seem to go together, golf, polo, beautiful women, roping. But tennis players have big calves, right? That ought to have something to do with roping. Lots of pretty girls follow around after the bull riders. But the bull riders are so dumb they don’t know why. Well, I sholdn’t be so all inclusive. I mean Ty Murray did snag Jewell didn’t he. Or maybe it was the other way around. ‘Course, I always considered Ty to be more of a bronc rider anyway.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I just saw a bronc rider in my office today. His wrists articulate in two places. A result of getting hung up in the rigging a couple of times.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

That was a bareback rider. Bronc riders use a saddle. They have funny legs. Mine don’t work too well. Messes up my swing down at the JV Country Club. My left shoulder is a mess too. Good thing I swing my tennis racket right handed. I played tennis with my ex-wife once. She got mad because I wouldn’t hit the ball to her. Gee, I must be dumb; I thought the objective was to hit the ball where she weren’t!!

By the way, these guys really are athletes. Trying keeping up with 1800 pounds of bull for 8 seconds or a bucking horse weighing from 1200-1500 pounds. Or try roping a calf and tying him down in under 8 seconds. These men and women are outstanding and they get better ever year. The shame is they don’t get the recognition or money that other athletes get. By the way if you think rodeo is hard on the animals consider that a top bucking horse works about 8 seconds a week and eats and relaxes the rest. A top bull or horse will bring in the 10’s of thousands of dollars.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

that’s not a bunch of bull, is it??? :)
couldn’t resist

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Yes, Ma’am, that’s a lot of bull! And if it lands on ya it’a lot more!

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Didn’t that Federer fella marry Britney Spears? ;-)

Now that’s a lotta Bull!

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

No way! He’s not married.

If he was a golfer, he might marry Britney Spears ;^D

Just ask Mot…

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Nope, I think the precedent of marrying has been actresses was set by a tennis player. I think Federer has his mind more on balls and racquets these days, than on the ladies.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Anyone know how much money Tiger won this weekend?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov