Roland Garros

Hi.
If you have read my previous posts from January you would know that I love Fernando Gonzalez. He is the 12th seed Chilean player that was runner-up in 2007 against Roger Federer.

I have been following Fernando in the Roland Garros this year, as this year I finally got cable, and it has been a fantastic tournament for him. He won in straight sets in round 1 and 2 then played wonderful tennis until the semi finals which is his best performance in the Roland Garros for him. I was so excited with the prospect of him being in a finals re-match with Federer again. It would have been his and my dream come true. But alas that dream will have to wait for another year (or tournament). The semi-final match was exciting and very enjoyable. Gonzalez gave it his all and Soderling was fighting as hard, if not even harder to be in the final. The only thing that bothers me with Gonzalez is his temper and how he always manages to get into a argument with the umpire and the lines men/women. He gets so frustrated and I hate seeing him yelling or getting angry at the officials.
Here are some pictures of Fernando in his last match in Roland Garros.

Lucky Clay!

Sees a spot. Not sure if he was in the wrong at this point.

Also I wonder why the Roland Garros doesn’t have the ball challenge camera they have in the Australia Open. It would have made things more easier and less fraustrating. I can’t wait for the next major tourtament.

Here is a video of Gonzalez rubbing his butt!

Rafael Nadal – Australian Open Champion

Shirtless Nadal!

Nadal is our Australian Open for 2009. It was a freaking great match! a 5 setter and as nail biting as the last match Nadal played in against fellow Spaniard Fernando Versdasco.

When Roger Federer went to get his trophie for second place he surprised me when he started crying. I felt really sorry for and i think i like him just a tiny little bit now. He was sweet and he even thanked the audience (which i notice Nadal didn’t)

I’m going to miss the Australian Open. But all good things must come to an end… well until next year.

**EDIT**
I guess this will be one of my last tennis blog entries until maybe Roland Garros. But for your tennis fix go to  http://crazyworldoftennis.blogspot.com/

Nadal vs Verdasco

All i have to say is I am so glad a stayed up and watched the full match until the end. 5 hours and 14 minutes. How amazing is that?? That is the record time for a match in the Australian Open as this match lasted three minutes longer than the five hour 11 minute marathon played by Boris Becker and Omar Camporese in 1991.

I just wished that I had been in Rod Laver Arena last night. It would have been the best atmosphere. I would be on the edge of my seat. Maybe even falling off it!

I was going for Verdasco and wanted him to beat Nadal but i was not dissapointed on how he played.

I can’t wait to see the final!

Australian Open Poll

Hi

I don’t know how many people actually read my blog but I wanted to do a poll on who do you think will win the Australian Open.

There are 3 choices: Nadal, Federer and Fernando Verdasco (who is playing Nadal tomorrow (you never know he might beat Nadal by luck lol))

I think it will be interesting to see who is voted and who actually wins…. or maybe it isn’t.

Please vote!

*EDIT*

IT’S OFFICIAL NADAL WON! SO POLL IS CLOSED! 6 VOTES FOR NADAL TO 2 VOTES FOR FEDERER! YOU GUYS PICKED THE RIGHT PLAYER!

Melbourne Park + The Weather + Racist Article

Hi

A few days ago it was announced that the Brumby Government  has announce a full redevelopment of Melbourne Park to secure the Grand Slam to stay in Melbourne as there was rumours that Sydney and China were secretly bidding for the honour to host the Grand Slam. I have read that Dubai and other Asian countries have been interested and would love to host the Grand Slam in their city. I applaud Minister Brumby of making this decision to expand and put money, which is estimated at $300 million, to make Melbourne Park into a better facility for the players, media and the spectators.

I can’t wait till they start building, I’m not sure if it will be done for the 2010 Australian Open but it is suppose to be ready by 2016 because that is when the contract for Melbourne Park finishes up to host the Grand Slam.

An image of the proposed improvements to the Melbourne Park precinct.

I only found one picture of the new redevelopment from www.theage.com.au

The future looks bright for the future of the Australian Open in Melbourne. I would never want the Open to move to Sydney or any other city. I told a friend about the possibility of the Open to go to Sydney and they said that the attendance wouldn’t be as large as Melbourne’s and Sydney doesn’t have any of the facilities or a tennis stadium like Melbourne has.

Also I am very pissed off at a article that I found when looking for the above picture. Apparently a UK newspaper had the article saying that Australia is just too hot to host international sport and Britian has the right weather for sport. Excuse me but  Australia has much better weather and our summer actually feels like summer, not a retarded Spring. Yes, it may become extremely hot sometimes (such as this week, 40 degrees until Saturday) but saying Australia shouldn’t host any international sport or our teams are becoming poor players because of the heat.  The article was also racist to us Australians. Unbelievable. I didn’t even know you could be racist to Australians but here is a direct quote from the article:

Australia is no place to host big international sporting tournaments; except maybe the world kangaroo long-jump.

Can you believe that rubbish? And this quote also pissed me off:

They had a poor Olympics.

Who the hell wrote this garbage? Does anyone remember what IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch declared at the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics?

“I am proud and happy to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever.”

I’m sure the Athens or the Beijing Olympics had great Olympics also but saying Sydney had “poor Olympics” the nerve on the Poms!

I don’t mind any British people. (Their accents are sexy) I actually went to Britain and enjoyed my stay. But seeing racist and outrages articles like this one just spreads hate and bad opinions about my country. It’s not on. Yes I know I can’t stop articles like this one to pop up or change peoples opinions about Australia but I can voice my own opinions to object what they write. Thank God for Freedom of Speech!

Fernando Gonzalez

Hi

As you have read I am into my tennis. Well maybe just Fernando Gonzalez and sometimes Rafael Nadal.

And yes i have not made a real blog entry in awhile and i have a good excuse for it. I have been to the Australian Open every 2 days this week (so four times) and everyday i come home tired and what not.

The first game i watched was the Fernando Gonzalez vs Llyton Hewitt. I was sure Gonzalez would win but after the first set i knew Hewitt wasn;t going down without a fight. After winning two sets against Llyton, Gonzalez lost concentration losing the 4th set of the game. It was a terrific 5th set, within 41 minutes Gonzalez won the match against the Aussie Favourite Llyton Hewitt.
The scores were: (Gonzalez’s score is in Bold)
5-7 6-2 6-3 3-6 6-3

The came 2nd round where Gonzalez went up against a fellow South American opponent, from Argentina, Guillermo Canas. I got to the match early as it was on a outside court and I knew all the chilean cheer squad would be going there to get the best seats, we left the house at 8 am. When we got there of course there were chileans already but i was suprised to see a whole column of Aussie Supports were at the match as well. And they decided to cheer for the chileans.  So the match went on and Gonzalez won the game in 3 straight sets (5-7 3-6 4-6).

The saturday night match would have to be one of the best matches I have seen Gonzalez play in. The first two sets i was so sure he would lose the match but he all surprised us and started to win back the match. The atmosphere was electric because on the 3rd they had a tie breaker and everytime Gonzalez was 1 up from the french guy he always would stumble and the french guy, Gasquet, would always catch up. It was edge of your seat action match and i don’t think i will experience that type of game for a long time. (well at least maybe next Australian Open)
The score was 6-3 6-3 6-7 (10-12) 2-6 10-12.

Chilean Crowd at Gonzalez match 24/01/09

Chilean Crowd at Gonzalez match 24/01/09

As I am writing this Nadal just beat Gonzalez in 3 straight sets 6-2 6-3 6-4.

He gave his all but Nadal was too good for him at the end. I wish Gonzalez a great year for his Grand Slam Career. Bring on the Roland Garros.

Gonzalez!

Practising

Fernando playing a traditional Australian instrument the Didgeridoo

Drinking Gatorade

A few pictures of Fernando Gonzalez. All from the Australian Open Website. So check the website for more.

Tomorrow i’m going to see him at Rod Laver Arena if we get tickets. We are leaving home at 8 am so we are first in line at the ticket office. Wish me luck!

IBM Grand Slam Widget

I love the Australian Open. I personally go for Fernando Gonzalez and Rafael Nadal!

Gonzalez is playing Lleyton Hewitt on Monday 19 January. Not sure what time but I’m sure it will be the main game for that day so it will be a 7.pm start on Channel 7. I am going to that match if we are lucky enough to get tickets.

*EDIT* The Gonzalez and Hewitt match is on Tuesday. I got a little bit ahead of myself. Tonight I think Federer is playing at 7.30 or something. Check AO Website for more details.

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Embarrasment & Australian Open

First of all I have to say I can’t believe my sister is such a fucktart and gets embarrassed by her sisters. To her i say FUCK YOU and I hope you mature soon enough.

The story is that my other sister and I went to pick up my sister from the beach were she was with my cousin and her friend. I decided to stay with them for awhile as this was the first time I went outside that day. My other sister, my cousin and I were just talking about general things, nothing concerning my sister and her friend. And when I decided to go home, my sisters friend went home so the 4 of us were alone and walking to the car when she started saying that my sister and I were so embarrassing blah blah blah. So apperantly we just macked around not to her liking. Seriously argh. Not a ‘happy jane’ moment.

Ok enough with the little sister.

The other topic I wanted to talk about is the Australian Open. It starts on the 19th of January but before the Aussie Open is the AAMI Classic and I’m really excited as this is my first chance of the year to get excited for a sport. Fernando Gonzalez is playing tomorrow against Ivan Ljubicic. Lets hope Gonzalez wins the match.

At the Australian Open every year, young Chileans around Melbourne go to each match he plays wearing our Chilean Soccer jersey and bring flags so we can cheer on our champion. We always get told be quiet by the umpires and even get stares by the very man himself to be quiet.

Even when Gonzalez plays in Rod Laver we manage to cheer him on.

This is an example of some of the spectators:

In the second picture you can clearly see my sister, a family friend, my cousins and I hid myself because it was a horrible picture.

All I need to do to prepare myself for the 2 wonderful weeks ahead is to find my Chilean flag and have my jersey ready. Also make sure I don’t get a sore throat so I can scream and cheer with the spectators at the matchs.