The Sassistas! now know why babysis disappears every year right around the Australian Open, the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the U.S. Open.
Tennis is one hell of a riveting game! In fact, Flann was reduced to tears when Roger Federer finally broke Andy Roddick's serve in the longest Grand Slam final in men's history yesterday afternoon at Wimbledon.
Pictured left is Roddick (ranked #3 at Wimbledon) embracing Federer (ranked #1) after Federer beat him back from a very determined challenge: 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14. All Flann could think was: "Roddick deserves more than that chintzy silver plate."
The match lasted 4 hours and 18 minutes, the fifth set alone lasting 95 minutes -- longer than Saturday's women's final (with Serena Williams defeating her sister, Venus). Even more remarkable is that the match was marked by sportsmanship on both sides, with neither player uttering a word in anger.
Yeah, it was riveting. Federer has now won 15 Grand Slam titles, six at Wimbledon, the most storied of the four major titles. He's clearly the best tennis play of his generation. But is he the best ever to play the game?
What's your opinion? Also, what's with the runner-up chintzy silver plates?
Flann, it isn't the chintzy silver plate that's the big deal. It's the 375,000 pounds sterling (2008 prize money for second place in men's singles) that matters. The runner-up receives approximately half of what the winner receives. Not bad money to play a game you have to love to play it that well.
The winner received 750,000 pounds sterling in 2008. That translates roughly into 1.2 million US dollars. Which means the runner up received over half a million US dollars for playing tennis at Wimbledon. Not bad wages considering all the factors.
Posted by: half-a-sista | July 06, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Sorry to hear that Serena beat Venus. Only goes to show that love doesn't conquer all. I'm out of here for most of the day. Sass you later this afternoon or evening. Love all (in keeping with the tennis topic).
Posted by: half-a-sista | July 06, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Thanks, half-a, for looking up the actual amount of money each winner gets. Thanks to Billie Jean or Martina, I believe the women get the same amount. (Doesn't work the same in golf.) So, no, it ain't bad wages . . . but still . . . Federer is out there hoisting this gold trophy the size of a Smart Car. And Roddick has this thin silver plate. Serena hoisted this gold plate the size of the stadium and her sister had a silver plate HALF the size of Roddick's. For some reason, I looked at those silver plates and thought of that stupid green Masters' golf jacket.
Did anyone notice the Nike commercial that ran right after Federer won that obviously had been pre-recorded, with Woods and Sampras and Serena, etc. congratulating him on 15 Grand Slam titles? I wonder what commercial Nike would have run if Federer had lost.
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Jersey left to drive home right after Roddick won the first set. She was sorry that she was going to miss the match. Two and a half hours later, she's home and is able to watch most of the fifth set.
Hope Galin and Buckley (two adorable dogs who visited the Sassistas! along with Jersey) enjoyed the fifth set, too, Jersey. We miss all of you'ins.
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Nike wouldn't have run that commercial. They probably had one featuring the other guy..just in case he won.
Posted by: half-a-sista | July 06, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Actually, I think Nike probably had the same folks in another commercial, all saying some version or another of "better luck next time, Federer." I don't think Roddick was expected to be in the finals.
I also noticed that after Federer won, he put on a warm-up jacket that had the number 15 on the back. What's more, he quickly put on a Rolex watch so when he kissed the trophy, Rolex could get the shot it would need for all its print ads in the upcoming year. Federer is one of its spokespeople.
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 08:47 AM
According to the Wimbleton web site, 2007 was the first year that men and women champions in the singles division received the same amount of prize money. Prior to that the women had always been paid less. So this is the third year of equal pay for winning the gold cup and the silver plate.
Can golf be far behind?
Posted by: half-a-sista | July 06, 2009 at 08:47 AM
I thought that Wimbledon paid the same for both men and women a long time ago -- I mean, at least a decade. Thanks for looking up that stat, too, half-a-sista.
I think golf is WAY behind. Prize money is determined by sponsors, etc., and there's no Tiger Woods in the LPGA. The winner of the PGA Championship gets about $1.3 million. Compare that to the LPGA champion -- $300,000.
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 08:53 AM
The last set of the match was a sight to behold. The composure of those two guys under stress was amazing in itself. The patent effort of Roddick to maintain emotional composure after his loss was heart rending.
Posted by: Jerseysista | July 06, 2009 at 10:10 AM
"Patent effort" is exactly right, Jersey. How could anyone watching not feel for him? I wonder if he knew that part of the reason he was in the Final was because Nadal (who beat Federer last year at Wimbledon) was not and as soon as Nadal heals, he'll be back at Wimbledon. I wondered if Roddick thought that this was the closest he would ever get to winning Wimbledon. He could not have gotten much closer.
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 10:21 AM
What a match! I began to watching it while I was stretched out lazily on my couch with the dawg. By the third set, I was sitting up watching it intently, because I knew Roddick wasn't going down without a fight.
I haven't been following tennis as closely these days, so I thought Roddick was washed up. Didn't realize that he's better than ever. He really gave Federer a run for his money. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) But it really was one of the best matches I've ever watched.
Congratulations to Federer. He's an exceptional player. And actually seems to have his ego in check which is refreshing. Anxious now to see Roddick play in the US Open. He's obviously worked hard to get back into the top 5.
As for Jersey's dogs, we fell in love with them. They were very well behaved and so sweet. Especially Galin. Flann and I were taking turns trying to earn his affection. Jersey's spontaneous visit made our weekend even better!
Posted by: Matissta | July 06, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Don't suspect this is another of those lures, but I am feeling the "love." It's hard for me to put in words how tv tennis became such a passion of mine. It began as a child watching Bjorn Borg with my sister, and it continued in the Steffi Graf years when my mother once said she resembled me (she has a much bigger nose, however).
Anyway, as a stay at home mom, I realized I could watch the entire two weeks of all 4 major tournaments, although I rarely make that big a commitment.
When two players are equally matched, tennis is one phenomenal sport. The need to win by two (points or games) can make for such drama, and coming oh so close to winning or losing many times in a single match. It doesn't even matter who is playing to get completely caught up in the drama. The mental game is so evident as well, and I can recall heartbreaking chokes, playing through injuries, etc.
This year's W final was a pure joy. Rather than skip church, I prayed for a 5 setter to still be on when we got home. It was 10-9 in the 5th. I was in heaven!
Thought Roger was less silver tongued than usual in his post match remarks, but he is unparalleled for now. I felt bad for Andy, and don't have confidence he'll ever come closer than that.
The prize money is what it is. I'm glad women have equal earnings at some major tourneys, but not sure it's fair for the men since they play to 5 max sets instead of 3. There have been times when the women's game drew bigger crowds though, so the profit makers paid attention.
Posted by: babysis | July 06, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Glad you're feelin' the love, babysis, 'cause this post was mostly for you.
I was wondering if you would skip church for it. Can I just say that watching it was a spiritual experience for those of us who did not go to church?
Yeah, I can see the resemblance to Graf, but you are way more attractive.
I thought for certain that someone would comment on the chintzy silver plates. What the hell do you do with those things?
Also, can the winners actually keep that big ol' Gold Plate and that big ol' Gold Pitcher thingy?
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Hopefully half-a can research what the winners (and near winners) do with the hardware. I wonder how many margaritas the big ol' pitcher can hold, or how many burgers you could serve on the plates. I guess you're supposed to use the prize money to buy a bigger house to display the stuff.
Felt the love with the post (and your compliment). I'm getting over Wimbledon being over by watching Spongebob Squarepants with two boys who often laugh till they cry. That's a lesser known tv passion of mine.
Posted by: babysis | July 06, 2009 at 01:32 PM
babysis -- what's the greatest tennis match you ever watched? I don't know when it was, but I'm thinking of one between Jimmy Connors and Agassi. Do you remember that one?
Posted by: Flannista | July 06, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Babysis, sit down, my dear. I found out what the winners do with the hardware and you will be flabbergasted (maybe not, because it makes sense). They don't get to keep the big cup (for the men) or the big saucer (for the women). They hold it aloft or in front of them and then it is returned to the place where it stays for all of its non-sentient life...in a display case.
Yes, it's true. The men's singles champion walks away with an 8 1/2 inch replica of the big cup. The women's singles champ walks away with an 8 inch replica of the saucer. No wonder they pay them such big bucks. That trophy replica wouldn't even make a very big display on the fireplace mantle.
Sponge Bob Squarepants Rules!
Posted by: half-a-sista | July 06, 2009 at 05:15 PM
half a: thanks a million for researching the sad facts, if for no other reason than boosting the numbers of any babysis related post. Flann must be very discouraged about now.
I've been meaning to ask you about your use of the word sentient, as I've seen you use it before. In our household, it came into usage only because of the first Transformers movie. I'm not thinking that's the case for you, but just wondered.
Spongebob aired the "Fry Cook Games" episode again today, or something like that. My kids are asleep or I'd ask them if that's the correct title. Anyway, I'd venture it's a fav of yours as it is ours.
Posted by: babysis | July 06, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Flann, the greatest match I ever watched was an exhibition match between Connors and Borg in Baton Rouge, simply because it was live. The next greatest match I ever watched was on Sunday. It's always the last one for me. I know there have been many classics, but I don't have them committed to memory. Thanks for asking though.
Posted by: babysis | July 06, 2009 at 10:20 PM
You are welcome, babysis. I wish I knew more about tennis, but I don't. Ask me about music or poetry, I'll give you instant facts.
I have to watch Sponge Bob Squarepants now. Your kids are really smart, and half-a has good taste, too. So, if nothing else, you may get me to switch to Nickelodeon. Tell me now if that is not the correct channel.
Yeah, I do tend to get discouraged when our numbers go down, but that began to happen last week when summer hit. PEACE and noway have been gone, Chryso is gone this week -- the summer doldrums are bound to hit the 'sphere, too.
One last thing, most of what the Sassistas! post is related to you and/or any other sista and mista in the 'sphere (I hope!). I was happy, though, that you parTICularly felt the love here. That was the goal.
Posted by: Flannista | July 07, 2009 at 06:24 AM
Babysis, I love tennis too, when I'm into it. For me it comes and goes, but I do appreciate your passion.
And I love SpongeBob too! He's the best! One of the kids in my writing class drew the best SpongeBob and Patrick cartoon, and Gary too. It made me laugh out loud.
Posted by: Westsista | July 08, 2009 at 02:36 AM