Davis Cup 2005

[Madou]

Totally agree too... So good to be able to see the Russia-France match... Hope Russia'll win again, even if I won't be able to watch the final :/. But the French team can win, in my opinion (Gasquet, Mathieu and Grosjean will be tough to beat !)
Udachi, Russia !

[annie]

well...good luck to Russia!! as i've said before M.Y.M.R.P. !!! (Make Your Mother Russia Proud)


hmmm...a little out of topic...M.Y.M.R.P. has double meaning for Marat...if you substitute the meaning of Russia to his mother's name Rauza... ;D

[pau]

anniekournikova said:

hmmm...a little out of topic...M.Y.M.R.P. has double meaning for Marat...if you substitute the meaning of Russia to his mother's name Rauza... ;D

lol!

[lau]

Another photo of these two doing the same thing , haha

[annie]

lau said:

Another photo of these two doing the same thing , haha

It's some kind of CULT! I'm tellin ya! LOL

thanks for the pics...

[annie]

Oh these two are always funny together!!!!!!!!!!! I soooooooo love my team!!!!!!!! All the guys are really great and I wish them the best of luck!!!!!!!! I'll be there for all 3 days screaming as loud as I can

[Madou]

I'll be watching you on TV, Annie, tell us where you are when you know it and us french people will look for you.
Thanks for the photos, they're nice... Althought Marat looks a little bored !

[annie]

Weeeeellll Madou..of you look at the court from behind the teams' backs, I shall be sitting in the VIP sector on your right I'll wave I promise LOL

[kasey]

Haha wow i have no chance of seeing it....but im so so jealous!! hehe

[Teresa]

Wimbledon-Safin turns anger on Davis Cup organisers
Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:40 PM BST
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By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) - Not satisfied with berating umpires, Marat Safin turned his anger on Friday towards organisers of the Davis Cup and the men's tour.

The Russian, who questioned numerous line calls during his defeat by Feliciano Lopez on Friday, will be leading the Russian Davis Cup challenge against France in their July 15-17 quarter-final in Moscow.

He felt officials needed to examine the scheduling of the men's team competition, which is spread over four separate weeks during the year.

Asked if he thought the grasscourt season should be extended to more than two weeks before Wimbledon, Safin replied: "We have much more important things to take care of actually, which is the Davis Cup.

"Davis Cup weeks are terrible," the Russian said.

The Russian's main bone of contention is that players may have suddenly to switch surfaces to play for their country and that schedules get too crowded.

The hardcourt season usually kicks off soon after Wimbledon but with Russia opting to take on France on clay, Safin will have to get used to the slow surface again for that one weekend of Davis Cup action.

"For example, we play Wimbledon, okay? So then it's one week of a tournaments, then the Davis Cup," he said.

"Basically for me I'm not going to go play on clay again (at ATP events). I will try to go to the hard courts.

"For me, it would be perfect to play Wimbledon, get through one week of practice with the team, then play the Davis Cup."

Safin is not the first player to question the scheduling of the team competition.

Pete Sampras turned his back on the U.S. cause during the latter stages of his career for the same reason.

His fellow American Agassi also cut it from his calendar for several years before making a losing comeback in the first round against Croatia in March.

This year, Roger Federer opted out of first-round action, saying it interferred with his individual career.

"People have to use more brain to see when to place the Davis Cup. This is more important," Safin said.

Despite his anger, the Australian Open champion was quick to dismiss suggestions that he would skip the quarter-final tussle.

"I will be there. I know the French people, they are hoping for the best. But there is no chance. You have to deal with me," he laughed.

[Karen]

Good article, Teresa and I noticed you are over 2000 posts, Woo-Hoo ;D

[annie]

Holy Moses Teesa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take a bow....and will try to catch up LMAO

[Teresa]

LOL
I came here to post something about Canas DC
and then remembered I should go to the other players thread

and saw this

Good article, Teresa and I noticed you are over 2000 posts, Woo-Hoo

Holy Moses Teesa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take a bow....and will try to catch up LMAO

LMAO Karen and Annie I did not even notice
Thank you ;D

[annie]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Guillermo Canas, Argentina's top-ranked player, was left off his country's Davis Cup team that takes on Australia in next month's quarterfinals because he's under a doping investigation.

Canas, ranked No. 8 in the world, said the ATP turned up a positive test dating back several months, but believes he will be cleared. Canas said he also has a hand injury.

Argentina's team chosen Tuesday includes top-20 players Guillermo Coria, David Nalbandian and Mariano Puerta, and doubles partners Gaston Etlis and Martin Rodriguez.

The match is July 15-17 in Sydney.

Nalbandian, the 2002 Wimbledon finalist, reached the quarterfinals at the All England Club on Monday, and will be expected to find the grass court at the Sydney International Tennis Centre to his liking. Most Argentines are clay-court specialists.

Puerta, ranked No. 11, was the surprise runner-up at the French Open last month. Coria, last year's runner-up at Roland Garros, was ranked one spot ahead of Nalbandian at No. 18.

[annie]

Wednesday June 29, 03:24 AM
Wimbledon-Safin's Davis Cup attack unfair says ITF chief

LONDON, June 28 (Reuters) - Marat Safin's complaints about the organisation of the Davis Cup is unjustified, International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti said on Tuesday.
Safin launched a scathing attack on the ITF following his defeat at Wimbledon last week, saying that officials needed to examine the scheduling of the men's team competition.

The Russian was particularly annoyed that players may have to suddenly switch surfaces to play for their country and that schedules get too crowded.

The hardcourt season usually kicks off soon after Wimbledon but with Russia opting to take on France on clay in their July 15-17 quarter-final in Moscow, Safin was irritated that he would have to get used to the slow surface again for that one weekend of Davis Cup action.

"With complete respect for Mr Safin's position, there are two points that he has not taken into consideration," Ricci Bitti told Reuters.

"First, the selection of the surface for the tie was made by his national federation and they have elected to play on clay.

"I am certain that this is not to upset Mr Safin's schedule but because the Russian Tennis Federation believes that this gives their team the best chance to defeat France and advance to the semi-finals.

"Second, with the grand slams holding fixed dates in the calendar ... the ITF was asked by the ATP to consider a change in Davis Cup's traditional dates for 2005 to accommodate the longer summer."

The men's team event is spread over four separate weeks during the year.

Traditionally the competition takes place in February, April, September and November.

This year, the dates were changed to March, July, September and December.

Safin is not the first player to question the scheduling of the team competition.

Pete Sampras turned his back on the U.S. cause during the latter stages of his career for the same reason.

His fellow American Agassi also cut it from his calendar for several years before making a losing comeback in the first round against Croatia in March.

This year, Roger Federer opted out of first-round action, saying it interfered with his individual career.

"Although we will face this situation again, for the next few years Davis Cup will return to its traditional dates in February, April, September and November," added Ricci Bitti.

The ITF are responsible for organising the Davis Cup and the grand slam tournaments