Black Tennis Pros

As I listened to Barack Obama support, defend, chastise and embrace America this morning, I became very proud of that man and all that he embraces. Obama reached out to an America that is possible if only we try.

One of the blessings of blogging is that we reach and receive people from all walks, races and cultures of life. We read what each other has to say and realize how much we have in common and operate from that perspective. Yes, the blessing also comes with the curse of those finding you who don't want to believe in anything outside of what they know, but they very fortunately are few.

Today, a man who embodies a number of cultures stood before us and told us why he wants to preside over this country with all of its rich and painful history, loving and hateful people, and resistance to change as it changes. I believe him. I believe in him and his mission. I did not know what else Obama could have done to further my belief in his ability to be the President of the United States, and this morning, he did it.

NOTE: The bell of evil rings so much louder than the bell of good, amazing!

We're a couple of hours out from Obama's incredible speech, and I've seen a few commentators try to pick at it, though they know they're wasting there time. However, it is playing nowhere near the television time given to Geraldine Ferraro's words or the Reverend Wright's sermon footage. My, my my.

My cable company does not carry Fox Network Sports. I thought that I was covered in all sports instances because I subscribe to the "sports tier" of my cable company. So, this leaves me with two hours of the Pacific Life Open daily, if any at all!

I realize that there are match results everywhere. I've been posting from the live board that I "watch" when there is no tennis being broadcast on my expensive "sports tier."

I want to post personal, honest observations of the game like I try to give. So, whoever is watching any match at any time, please help me out and put your observations together and email them to me. It doesn't matter which match, how short or how long, just an honest view of what you saw. I'll post them as is (so long as they're clean). Don't forget to put either your name or screen name on it so that I can give you credit.

Help!!

March 16, 2008
Round 2 - Ladies Doubles

Raquel Kops-Jones, USA and Christina Fusano, USA
lost to
Yung-Jan Chan, TPE and Chia-Jung Chuang, TPE
7-5, 6-4


March 15, 2008
Round 2 - Men's Singles

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA def. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-2, 6-4

James Blake, USA def Marc Gicquel, FRA 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1

INDIAN WELLS - James Blake said he understands why fellow American Andy Roddick would take a pass at the Olympics to prepare for the U.S. Open, but the world's No. 9 player said he's willing to take that chance.

On Wednesday, Roddick said he would not play in the Olympics, electing to stay in the United States to prepare for the U.S. Open.

Blake said he doesn't blame Roddick for making that decision, but he sees it differently.

In 2004, Blake suffered a neck injury as well as illness and could not compete in the Athens Olympics.

"This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," said the 28-year-old Blake, a finalist at the 2006 Pacific Life Open. "In 2012, I hope I'm still relevant in the tennis world, but careers have ended much quicker than that. I know realistically, this might be my only shot to play in the Olympics.

"I've had some opportunities in the U.S. Open already and I hope I have plenty more. I want to do well there and I want to do well at the Olympics, so I'm going to take my chances at both of them and see how I'll do."

The Olympics begin on Aug. 11, and the U.S. Open will begin two weeks later on Aug. 25. It promises to be a grueling trip. Blake said one thing that will help is that he can go to his hometown in Fairfield, Conn., to help get over the jetlag.

Blake has represented the U.S., as well as Roddick, in the Davis Cup. With Roddick and Bob and Mike Bryan, Blake helped the U.S. win its first Davis Cup title since 1995, when they beat Russia in December.

Talk about an ugly match!

I kept screaming at the television hoping that American Ahsha Rolle would somehow hear me and begin running after the balls that were whizzing by her head. It didn't work.

Minutes ago at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, Ahsha basically just stood on the baseline and allowed Serbian Jelena Jankovic to blast balls by her to the tune of a 6-0, 6-2 win. It looked like serve and ball placement practice for Jankovic.

I greatly suspect that Ahsha was dealing with an injury of some sort, earlier in the match she was seen by the trainer.

Ahsha now joins another wild card recipient, American Angela Haynes, on the sidelines. Come on ladies, pick it up!

I am always so happy to give people what they deserve, be it praise or a little nudge to let them know that their shoe belongs on their foot and not in their mouth. Today Justin Gimelstob decided that he would like to chew on a little leather.

Gimelstob was commentating along with Chanda Rubin and Barry Tompkins at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. Each of the three was legitimately discussing the very poor play of American Ahsha Rolle and attempting to asses what could be wrong.

Well, Gimelstob wondered if her problem could be emotional because, as he assumes, that does occur in the women's game. Rubin stated that there are emotional issues with the men too.

The very Goofy Justin Gimelstob says , "are we talking about the men that you date?" (not an exact quote, but very close.) Rubin very professionally and succinctly said, "don't get personal."

*drum roll please* For bringing up a subject, and then attempting to take a nasty jab at Chanda Rubin who kept everything above board and did not tell Gimelstob to kiss her behind as I would have, Black Tennis Pro's awards Justin Gimelstob the Goofy Commentator award that he so richly deserves.