edit: a fun "topic"

Yes, this is a fun topis :-) Could I squeeze in here and offer up my personal wish? Ever since Feb when Venus played Acapulco ...I have wanted her and Jose Acasuso (Chucho) to get together...that's when Venus had her hair cut stylishly short and Tye-dye(sp) dress was new and cute...I just think with her beautiful skin next to his, similar personalities, compatible heights to one another, and their good looks...they would make a beautiful couple.... Yes (LOL), I have thought alot about it....I was so sad he didn't make the finals...as she won and would have loved to see pictures of them together.... Oh well..every tournament since, I've been hoping to see them in each others vicinity...but I am sure that is never going to happen....but still a nice wish. :-)

Absolutely LOVE Davis Cup!!!!!!! Thank you for thread Rosangel and MasterAce for all scores frome yesterday and schedule!!! James and Mardy fought so hard...I hope they can remain positive and move forward...the Bryan Bros will get us one win today...for sure :-) And any and all times I can see Jose/Chucho is good. Have a good day all---May all your favorites win!!! :-)

Steve, Thank you so much for this absolutely beautiful piece!!!! I was reading along quietly, and then suddenly reading it aloud...my sister who is visiting and who couldn't blast me off the couch on Sunday as the match went on and gloriously on...can't believe not only do I yell, scream, moan and clap while watching tennis on tv, but I also read aloud, with my cat staring at me confused, to blog posts while I'm on the net. Fantastic tournament...summed up so beautifully with your various posts A+ :-)

Thank you Steve for all your posts...very atmosperic as usual and a delight to read!! Safe trip home!

Hello Steve, Thought I would delurk and say how much I am enjoying your posts!! Thank you! I don't know what Sam and Marin were doing on Centre Court, but they played some awesome tennis and really rose to the occasion. I wanted both to win :-)

So, Serena only had to reach the Finals? I was thinking she still had to win in order to retain #1 status... I can't imagine that she will win against Victoria the way she was hobbling aroung out there against Venus...Azarenka will surely run her around and aggravate that knee more if that was the issue...will read Serena's presser to see what she says about the pain she was experiencing. I sooooo wanted Venus to win...I root for both to win in the tournaments..but when they play each other I prefer Vee to prevail. Oh well...Poor Venus...Congrats Serena...and Dinara's time is coming..whether it be winning the French Open or #1...I just feel she will get there soon...and I don't mind if she wins #1 without a GS...she has been consistent and she has worked hard and I feel she deserves it. :-)

Carrie, this was a beautifully written and heartfelt piece. Truthfully, we don't know what is really going on in private, but definitely from her public statements in interviews and her demeanor, there is more than enough to justify your feeling this way...same with the rest of her fans. I also wonder if somehow Marat's impending retirement has something to do with this as well....just that he is "getting out", able to live the life he wants to live (hopefully) and the way Dina looks up to him so much, could she be wishing she was "getting out" as well. I know, that her training regimen (including diet) is for her own good and for better health, but honestly, for her height, she was not over-weight...now, she is on a strict diet..made that much worse by her own personal strictness and denial of food pleasures (chocolate cookies or cake-I can't remember.) I truly feel for her because she is (out of necessity) always with her Coach and Fitness Trainer who are re-inforcing her "regimen" and I don't know how positive they are when speaking to her...and a brother who seems to encourage her to just toughen up...and parents who are "too" loving in the respect that they hide family tragedies from her because they have your best interest (tennis) at heart ..... I still feel that she feels she is loved by all around her, and that this is just a phase...winning can be the quickest turn-around...to depressed morose thoughts....and I am positive she will get there!!! I'll definitely keep sending her all my extra good vibes..that is for sure! Thanks again for your really great post!!

Julie, I really agree with all you are saying... C-Note please forgive Serena...:-) You also do not want Dinara to be hounded and pressured with unnecessary questions on this matter...She will get the #1 and when she does it will be to her satisfaction...and she will be able to appreciate it 1000% more. I do feel that Serena likes Dinara..she mentioned liking her somewhere before and I REALLY think she was trying to be diplomatic by not saying the name...the journalists would just run with that and try and create ugly drama if she would have said Dinara... Roger Federer said the same thing about the Women’s Tour (I know he got guff as well for it)... I also agree with another poster (I'm sorry, having a Serena moment and can not remember the name :-)...but the person who said well defend your points then you wont be in danger of losing the #1 ranking....but I honestly don't think Serena has put much stock in being #1 after she lost it for years... got it back at the US Open...then right after, she lost it again and then got it back again with the Australian win...so for her it’s nice to be #1 but she loves winning the Major/Grand-Slam titles more… I think she is just responding to a question by the reporter who knows this will be red-meat and knows she will say something that can get him reams of copy to run for a few days… :-)end of rant :-)

C-Note, Thank you again for the recaps :-)---so vivid and love to hear about all our favs!! Sad for both Marat and Dima...they both lost...darn!

Thank you for this great run-down of you day!! It's so enjoyable to read and live vicariously :-) mkeller...please post the Llodra Pic...so love Mika!! :-)

Thank you so much for the pic of sexy Dima!!! :-)

Oh, I just love this series of pics!!!! Thank you :-) Gael Knows there is no I in team :-)!! Such good chemistry they all have with one another..very nice to see!!

Hello, the best pic for me was as the winning point sailed long..Steps just totally fell out...of course he was acting, but it was so nice to see!!! I don't know how to put the pics on your site..so I will include link to article...but this is a really great picture of Frank Dancevic...tells everything there is about playing Davis Cup...http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Tennis/article/598725 Unfortunately, now Gillou knows playing a DC tennis match is nothing like playing any other tennis match...he acquitted himself well and played strong--Sorry for Team France's loss!!!