![\"Novak](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/img_0783-e1441646867434.jpg\")
<\/a>Novak Djokovic, entertaining the crowd after one of his wins. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
I thought of something during the final match late last night that had never occurred to me before.\u00a0 Here’s my revelation: Not only would I never have the ability<\/em> to play even one thousandth like these athletes do, I would never want<\/em> to!\u00a0 Maybe that’s one reason I admire sportsmen and women so much–I always think they’re being tortured!\u00a0 Yes, many of them are wealthy because of the sport, and they get to see the world, and have a modicum of fame from it, but oh my gosh–the work is horrible.\u00a0 If someone told me I’d either have to go out there for even one set during the day, or tell them every secret I ever had, they’d know everything about me within a minute.\u00a0 I have to admit that when I was doing my show, I used to play in some celebrity tennis tournaments for charity, and I did<\/em> have fun.\u00a0 But every day for years and years and years?\u00a0 No way. (And the fun was due to that my play didn’t matter, and I was helping people while acting the fool.)<\/p>\n Okay, here are my daily takes on the US Open this past week, preceded by my thoughts on what seems to be the overriding topic of the entire tournament :<\/p>\n When I told a great friend of mine, whose opinion I respect so much, that I was going to be off the grid for two weeks to watch every second of the US Open, she said that she couldn’t watch any of it because of her hatred of Serena Williams.\u00a0 (Later, we both agreed that we don’t “hate” her; rather, we can’t stand her. There is<\/em> a difference.)\u00a0 I thought that was strange because the tourney is about so much more than Serena.\u00a0 But, on Day 1, the commentators made it clear that it was all about her to them.\u00a0 Strange, when she should have been banned for life from there because of her threats of physical violence toward a lines-woman a few years ago.<\/p>\n She’s a thug, rude, a liar, a phony, and an overall bad sport.<\/p>\n Maybe that’s why Maria Sharapova really<\/em> dropped-out before it began–she didn’t want to be in Serena’s possible record-tying tournament. I’m just sayin’.<\/p>\n The first time Serena played last week, they said, \u201cLet’s listen to the crowd erupt for her!\u201d But in actuality, there was hardly any<\/em> applause.\u00a0 There was more for her Russian eighty-sixth-ranked opponent, who didn’t even have a coach or any friends or family there!<\/p>\n Now let’s go in order, day-by-day. (Some I already tweeted, but most I didn’t.) (And I’ve been sleep-deprived the entire time, so please forgive any mistakes.):<\/p>\n MONDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The first topic that annoyed me was that they’re planning to interview players in the middle of their matches<\/em>! Whether the players agree to it or not, they should not do that during a match!!! \u00a0It’s just creepy, not to mention a distraction. [Note: Only player, Coco Vandeweghe, did it, and then we never heard another word about it!]<\/p>\n Chris Evert and Cliff Drysdale (and subsequently Darren Cahill) said they do it in other sports, so tennis has to catch up. \u00a0What sports are they<\/em> watching???\u00a0 They don’t do it in the Big 4, so what sports are they talking about? \u00a0No one bothers LeBron James in the middle of the game, even at half-time!!! \u00a0What a horrible innovation. \u00a0The players don’t need any other distractions!<\/p>\n TUESDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Roger Federer’s creamy blue and pink outfit. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 As I tweeted, Roger Federer’s attire is the single most attractive male tennis outfit ever in the history of the sport! Like I needed yet another reason to love him.<\/p>\n \u2013 Idiot ESPN host Chris McKendry is still adding an “l” to every word that ends with a “w!”\u00a0 (Examples: \u201csaw\u201d and \u201cdraw.\u201d)\u00a0 What is wrong with her???<\/p>\n \u2013 Another idiot, LZ Granderson, proudly proclaimed that he’s a Nick Kyrgios fan!\u00a0 The only good thing host Chris McKendry ever did is asking incredulously after that proclamation, “You’re a Nick Kyrgios fan?!”\u00a0 And Darren Cahill had to take the onus off the discussion by saying, “There is a lot to like about him, no question about it, but he did cross the line a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully he’ll learn from that…But he certainly made a big mistake a couple of weeks ago.”<\/p>\n Yes–Nick Kyrgios is<\/em> weird.\u00a0 I don’t like him only<\/em> because of what he said to Stan Wawrinka.\u00a0 (If you’re not aware of that<\/em> situation, click here to read about it:\u00a0 itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/tennis-us-open-2015-begins-today<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Nick Gyrgios’ horrible posture. Mr. X says he looks like that character who dances in the Charlie Brown Christmas pagaent! He does! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n But I don’t mind that he’s a weird player<\/em>.\u00a0 He stated in an interview that he doesn’t really love tennis.\u00a0 He said he’s much more into basketball, but his parents forced him into tennis instead.\u00a0 He clearly has an aptitude for the game, but his heart just isn’t into it.\u00a0 That’s apparent to even the casual observer.\u00a0 So, he’s making a decent enough living from the sport without working on his game too much.\u00a0 That’s not our business.\u00a0 Each person’s career is just what they themselves make of it; they owe nothing to anyone else.\u00a0 He doesn’t owe his family, his coaches, his country, nor the fans.\u00a0 If he’s playing well enough to make tournaments, and doesn’t mind going out in early rounds, so be it.\u00a0 He is<\/em> more entertaining than anyone else.\u00a0 As long as he isn’t rude to others, I don’t care if he gives the sport his all or not. And neither should anyone else.<\/p>\n And, while we’re on the subject, ESPN host Hannah Storm should not have told us at the beginning of the broadcast that Nick told Stan that “another player had slept with his girlfriend.”\u00a0 Is she not aware that young children watch the telecast?!\u00a0 Very bad, and unprofessional, decision on her part.\u00a0 And on that of the producers.<\/p>\n Petra Kvitova looking great. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 Nick is only twenty, but he’s all hunched-over.\u00a0 I think it’s from insecurity, as is his brash behavior, but someone needs to tell him to work on his posture, not just for his game, but for his health!<\/p>\n He’s the anti-Roger, in every sense.\u00a0 So, not to compare them, (because there is no comparison, really,) but Roger says that he himself wasn’t that serious about working when he was young, so maybe there’s hope for Nick.\u00a0 He needs to study A-Rod this season to see how to get back into the world’s good graces after a major fall from grace.<\/p>\n \u2013 I’m so glad to see Petra Kvitova looking great.\u00a0 She’s finally standing-up straight, so she has no more little pot belly, she has a tan, and is wearing a bit of subtle make-up on court.\u00a0 So happy, because she seems like such a nice girl.\u00a0 Good for her!<\/p>\n WEDNESDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Milos Raonic. Am I right or am I right? Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 The ESPN peeps need to stop ragging on the girl who had to drop-out of the first round against Serena, who got hurt on the warm-up.\u00a0 At least she gave it a go, rather than dropping out and giving the fans no match that night.<\/p>\n –It was very classy of Feliciano Lopez to not take his bow after he beat American Mardy Fish, who was playing his last pro tournament ever, after not playing for the past three years.<\/p>\n \u2013 Could Milos Raonic be any nerdier?!\u00a0 The answer is a resounding NO!<\/p>\n \u2013 These people are so stupid!\u00a0 First Hannah Storm said that ladies competitor Jessica Pegula is the “son of” her parents.\u00a0 Does Hannah not know that Jessica is a female?!<\/p>\n Novak Djocovic’s new grown-up hairstyle. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Then Chris Evert said that Pegula lives across the street from her, so she’s her “next-door neighbor.”\u00a0 Really?!\u00a0 Chris thinks that \u201cacross the street\u201d and \u201cnext door\u201d are the same location???<\/p>\n \u2013 I finally realized that Novak Djokovic grew his Chia Pet hair out! Very grown-up of him!<\/p>\n \u2013 I’ll never love another athlete like I love Roger Federer, but I must admit that the entertainment highlight of the week was seeing Novak dance with the dancing guy from the audience, after his second round win.<\/p>\n Petra cetkovska, when she beat caroline Wozniacki. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013I could not be happier for Petra Cetkovska!\u00a0 She beat #4 seed Caroline Wozniacki, and she so deserved that really difficult win.\u00a0 She was amazing!<\/p>\n But very poor sport Caroline tweeted after, ”I can only blame myself. You always think back: I should have done this, I should have done that.” Guess what\u2014you tried really hard, but Petra dug deep and beat the pants off you! So just be honest and admit it!<\/p>\n THURSDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This is the first time I’ve ever seen Roger sweat!\u00a0 And it was at night!<\/p>\n FRIDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 Oh no–now creepy mis-pronouncer Chris McKendry is saying “Merry” for “Murray!!!”\u00a0 She did it several times yesterday, and I let it slid because I thought it just had to be a fluke.\u00a0 But no.<\/p>\n \u2013 Okay, now I have to call Johnny Mac out for something.\u00a0 People always ask me why I let him slide for this, so no more.\u00a0 He says “menally,” instead of “menTally.”\u00a0 Enough already.\u00a0 Mr. X actually asked me what “menally” means!\u00a0 And this wasn’t one of his snarks–he meant it!<\/p>\n Madison Brengle, on the right, whose handshake was even ruder in motion. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 Darren Cahill just said that people who are watching the tennis on the web “are staying about seventy-eight minutes a pop,” and that’s “a long time for someone to stay watching the sport.”\u00a0 So, what am I<\/em>–Superwoman???\u00a0 I watch every single second<\/em> of the TV coverage, which is about twelve hours a day!\u00a0 Or more!<\/p>\n \u2013 Mikhail Kukuskin’s wife looks like Christina Applegate.<\/p>\n \u2013 American Madison Brengle was the biggest sore loser so far, on a par with the Williams. Her cold fish handshake at the net after was sort-of disgusting.<\/p>\n \u2013 OMG–now McKendry, who always adds an “l” onto words that end in “w,” (such as “draw” and “saw,”)\u00a0 just took the “l” off the word “ball!!!”\u00a0 She said just “ba!” What is wrong with that woman???\u00a0 And to her producers for not calling her on it, and making her take some English 101 lessons!<\/p>\n Serena Williams, just dumping her little dog into its bag. Ugh. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 Serena was so terrible to her little dog on the practice court, that the ASPCA should get involved!\u00a0 First of all, she shouldn’t have had him out there in that brutal heat to begin with!!!\u00a0 Then, at the end of her session, she picked him up from the ground<\/em> with one hand<\/em>, (because, obviously, her bottle of water was much more important to her!,) and dumped him head first into his bag that someone else<\/em> was carrying!!!\u00a0 So she would have her hands and shoulders free for her\u00a0two purses.\u00a0 She didn’t even kiss that poor little pooch or interact with him in any way!\u00a0 I treat my stuffed animals<\/em> better than she just treated that dog!\u00a0 Just when I didn’t think I could dislike her more…<\/p>\n \u2013 Bethanie Mattek-Sands was such a classy lady in defeat, and Serena wasn’t even nice to her at the net handshake.<\/p>\n Fabio Fognini. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 Jeremy Chardy, who’s even seeded, just won his third round match, and they still never showed him on ESPN FOR EVEN ONE SECOND!<\/p>\n \u2013 I never realized how good-looking Italy’s Fabio Fognini is!\u00a0 I’ve always been amused by him, but I guess, somehow, I didn’t notice his handsome face.\u00a0 That’s how much I concentrate on the true sports<\/em> aspect, not the cute guy one.<\/p>\n As Johnny Mac said of Fognini, “He’s got the looks, he’s got that personality, and he’s showed he can play, too. He played very well tonight.\u00a0 Competing hard.” I agree, with it all.<\/p>\n SATURDAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I know it’s a horrible picture, but Andrea Petkovic, on the right, is the nicest loser ever! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 Idiot Hannah Storm gave so much wrong info in the span of a few minutes!\u00a0 First she announced that Garcia-Lopez had just gone up two sets over Tomas Berdych, when they hadn’t even finished the second set, Garcia-Lopez was behind in it, and he wound-up losing it as soon as they came back from the TV break!\u00a0 Then, a few minutes later, she emphatically proclaimed that Andrea Petkovic was the eight<\/em> seed when she was the eighteenth<\/em> seed!\u00a0 She literally makes me sick.\u00a0 (Hannah, not Andrea, of course.) Many viewers count on the people from ESPN for their info, and she often gives out the wrong stuff. If non-TV people did their jobs as poorly as Hannah Storm does, they’d surely be fired. Just sayin’.<\/p>\n \u2013 Speaking of Andrea, I’ve never seen anyone lose more graciously than she.\u00a0 Especially when she was heavily favored to win her third round match against Johanna Konta, the #97 player in the world!<\/p>\n Mirka Federer. Look at that beautiful profile and shiny hair! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 I absolutely love that Roger Federer does touristy things while he’s playing.\u00a0 Mr. X can barely even talk<\/em> to me when he’s working, especially out of town.<\/p>\n –I don’t think anyone counts Mirka Federer as good-looking, but I just realized that she actually is.\u00a0 She has a beautiful profile, and very shiny hair.\u00a0 And very lovely hands.\u00a0 And she’s so not flashy, or ever trying to show her riches.\u00a0 Her attire is expensive, I’m sure, but you wouldn’t know it just to look at it.<\/p>\n –A major shout-out to Donald Young, who is the biggest surprise of the tourney so far!<\/p>\n SUNDAY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2013 I’m sad to say that I’m afraid my semi-crush on Jeremy Chardy is over.\u00a0 He’s still absolutely gorgeous, and I’m still disgusted with ESPN for not showing even one second of his first three rounds, but now that they finally gave him a drop of air time, I noticed something I had only a clue to before.\u00a0 Jeremy stands with his shoulders all hunched-over!\u00a0 I can’t tell you how much I hate that!\u00a0 Someone has to tell him to work on his posture.\u00a0 I would do it myself (via twitter, of course,) but I just can’t bear to call him out in public like that.\u00a0 Except on here, of course!\u00a0 (And, since they never showed him winning those matches, I’ve never seen him smile!\u00a0 Ever.\u00a0 So, he’s more gorgeous than anyone, but not sexy.)<\/p>\n Marin Cilic’s gorgeous sneaks! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n \u2013 I can’t believe that I didn’t notice Marin Cilic’s beautiful white, blue, and pink kicks before!\u00a0 I was too busy admiring his creamy-blue-with-pink-accents shorts!!!<\/p>\n \u2013 In the fourth set of the Marin Cilic-Jeremy Chardy match, I realized that I was going to be sad no matter who won.\u00a0 Besides that I like both players, so I hate for one to lose, I’ll miss seeing the two most beautiful faces in tennis–Chardy, and also Cilic’s coach, the stunning Goran Ivanisevic! [Note: I get to continue taking in Goran’s beauty.]<\/p>\n \u2013 So, you know that now Serena will definitely make the semi-finals because she plays her sister Venus next, and we know that even if Venus is winning, she’ll throw it. She’s not going to be the one to stand in her sister’s way!<\/p>\n \u2013 I was sad to see Fabio Fognini get beaten in his very next match, but doesn’t that happen to everyone who beats Rafa at a Major?<\/p>\n \u2013 Even though I don’t like her at all, I feel bad about this: Eugenie Bouchard dropped out of the tournament this afternoon, due to a possible concussion she suffered during a fall the other day, and the commentators made nary a mention of it!\u00a0 They were too busy kissing the Williams Sisters’ butts all day!\u00a0 [Note: They finally did, at almost 11PM, right before the last match of the day. Shame on them.]<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>