Italy hammer United States to win Fed Cup

#24 Cyril

Frankly what I do not understand is why EVERYTHING always is about the Williams sisters. I don't think I've read a single post without one of their names somehow being drawn into the comment and it's always either passionately FOR or aggressively against..and in the ladder REALLY nasty and rude!!
While I admit I can always find a way to "mention" Pete in all my posts, it's never, ever anything negative. So I DO, TOTALLY, understand having favorites, but for some to continually mention (mostly) Serena that really gets old, as does reading each thread each day with the same old same old. That pertains to anything. Andre's story is getting very thin right now too, for me~
I've gone on record, many times, saying that I REALLY like Venus.. I love her wit, charm, personality, savvy, grace, her amazing tennis talent and her simply smile lights up a room :-)
Conversely, while I think she IS an AMAZING player, I've simply never "warmed" to Serena like I have Venus and it's always been this way for me. It's "my" choice as on observer.
It is NOT a 'post-USO' mentality, I've felt this way since the girls first took women's tennis by storm!! While I thought the entire situation (ALL components) was deplorable at the Open and for the same reasons Serena defenders and detractors alike have stated, I just don't think that type behavior improves the image of our sport and I will spare you the long list of negatives I feel about others who have behaved in a way which would linger in one's mind as not "pretty". I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to choke Johnny Mac..at time he was a disgrace, but I watched because he was truly one of the all time tennis greats!!
I wasn't privy to the "Indian Wells" thing, so I have no comment period, but others seem to bring it up continually. So I am not judging, or hating, I'm simply saying I have my favorites and Venus happens to one of those. Both girls ARE Hall of Fame bound..and deserve TO be one day~
I will tell you this, should I ever have the pleasure of attending a match with either one of these ladies, and depending on who they would playing I can only tell you I would be cheering on "that" particular favorite. I would NEVER be ugly, or make snid remarks, boo or do anything remotely RUDE to either one of them, (or say them), but if it were one of MY favorites that is who I would be cheering on, here at home too. MANY times that HAS been Venus!!!
I'm never been a "compromise" person.
It's the same thing for anyone who loves Roger or Rafa, I dare say if they were playing a match and I were in attendance playing an American, I would still lend my support to MY favorite, who on THAT GIVEN DAY "could" be Roger or Rafa or not~ I only have ONE person I can tell you, with absolute certainty, I would (have) pulled for..that would be Pete!!
If Venus were playing against someone who is not a favorite I would be VERY vocal in my show of support..same thing for Roger or Rafa..It simply is what it is and for someone (anyone) to try to 'change' that in me will be futile.
Please don't insist I choose a favorite based on nationality, color or culture, I simply do not think that way. This is not like being a Bulls fan or Laker's fan..insomuch as both are "US" teams, I support a team or an individual because I like them, some more than others depending on who is playing. I am FIERCELY patriotic, but Tennis is an International Sport and thus I love many from many countries.
I do hope this clarifies what seems to be continually confusing for some~
HOWEVER, as I have said on NUMEROUS occasions if the girls were playing Fed Cup or Olympics I would ALWAYS HAPPILY lend my support~ALWAYS!!!! NO DEBATE!
I do not know how to be more clear, concise and still keep my integrity.
I am 'not' a follower, I am a thinker for myself. I'm sorry to seem so verbose, but this topic seems to incessant.
God bless the girls, much success to each of them in the next season and to ALL Ladies everywhere who work so hard to hone their craft~
And may GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! Only here, CAN we be this FREE!
Thank you our Military for serving and protecting and keeping us strong.
Please tell one of our Military, active duty or Veteran, thank you tomorrow as we display our Flag and honor so many who have answered the "call".
My deepest sympathies & heart felt prayers to the families and friends of those who "fell" at Fort Hood~
Heroes every one~
We salute you :-)

@ Cyril, you are correct in your analysis, if people would only be objective they would see it!

Post 17--Pete'sbest14. I don't understand how I have offended you. I believe the Italian players are stronger than Melanie and the rest of the US Team, though I admit to not knowing much about the other US players. I give credit to Melanie and the team for doing the best they can. I simply felt Italy would win, though I don't think of them as "champions of the world" as Pennatta stated. I apologize if I offended you.

@pete'sbest 14

Well, whether you agree or not it does not change the fact. The Williams are human and imperfect. Like you, they love home support, "especially" when playing at home. Look at how much love Greg Rusedski, Tim Henmen and now Murray receive at Wimbledon - NO MATTER WHO they are playing against. They are the heroes at home. In contrast the williams have never been. And they get hurt, not only by the lack of support but by the jeers they have sometimes received when playing against the likes of Moresmos, in one year for instance.

For goodness sake, they get more support at other tournaments outside the country. I mean how would you explain Venus winning or being a finalist so many times at Wimbledon. She feels at home, from the warm support. Basically.

#20 Cyril
Why does it have to be either...or? I've enjoyed watching ladies and men from different countries all over the world. So why, exactly, can't we enjoy watching both Americans AND other players too?
The ONLY time I allow nationality dictate "whom" I support is during Davis Cup or Fed Cup or Olympics!!
But I understand your meaning, point taken, but I simply am not in agreement about this one~

Wow Ebony, you are a HUGE ignorant JACKA$$! Its people like you who cause racism.

BEST COMMENT EVER:
"Only love will love you back. So start loving your own. And hopefully they will return the favor. Stop supporting Clijsters and Henin at the US Open. They are not Americans and they will not play for you".

Kudos Cyril !

Only love will love you back. So start loving your own. And hopefully they will return the favour. Stop supporting Clijsters and Henin at the US Open. They are not americans and they will not play for you. Fools.

emma i agree with you.
people will never stop pointing fingers at these sisters. no matter what they do haters will criticize them. how do they expect Venus or Serena to play the fed cup when they are injured? i think they have done so much for US tennis so far. so may haters just let them be! i don't think Serena should be in a wheel chair before people can know she is injured
Go Venus and Serena Williams

US owned the best women tennis players but these players are only playing for their own good not for the country. As you can see the result, US have swept by Italy... god bless

#13 Mopbrothers:

I have always enjoyed reading your posts..respected your point of view and thought your posts were intelligent, insightful, but most of all fair-minded.....
Until now~

damned if you do, damned if you don't (at least when it comes to the williams sisters)

when the williams sisters expressed interest in playing in the fed cup finals, a large majority said they didn't deserve to play because they had not played leading up to the finals. now that the US loses all of its matches (great coaching job mary jo), the williams sisters are now criticized for being "selfish" for not playing? double standard as usual for the williams sisters

yet roger federer very rarely plays davis cup but there is no outcry or accusations from the tennis establishment about him being "selfish"? nor are there any damning yahoo articles like this one. in fact he is often applauded for shrewdly managing his schedule so that he is peaking for the majors. btw, federer and serena are the same age (neither is a youngster anymore); therefore, they must pace themselves so that they are at their best at the slams.

and venus is even older. so why should she wear herself out and possibly injure herself even more to play for a country that still can't accept the fact that 2 black american women from compton have pulled themselves up by the bootstrap (the quinessential american rags to riches success story) to dominate tennis, a previously lily white sports with a very sordid and well documented history of discrimination against minorities.

the real problem isn't the williams sisters - the real problem is the scheduling of fed cup and davis cup. stop scheduling fed cup immediately after the wta championships!

the wta championship was already a war of attrition with almost every player injured there including venus, who had her knee strapped, and serena, who had her thigh bandaged. but being the competitors that are they are (at age 27 and 29), they played injured and still made it to the finals. btw, safina pulled out injured, zvonareva pulled out injured, azarenka injured, on and on.

so now the williams sisters should jeopardize their season by playing fed cup injured?? they gave their all to fulfill their commitment at the wta championships, knowing that they would have been criticized for pulling out injured there. and now people really think they should have gone to italy and play injured - how irrational!

but discrimination is always irrational - it's not based on reality but biases and perception. even though people saw with their own eyes last week that venus and serena were playing injured at the wta championships, they still get criticized for not playing fed cup injured?

like i said, damned if you do, damned if you don't

I know, It's the William sisters fault again. If they had played and the US lost guess what, it's their fault, (since if the team had continued without them the team would have won, and a whole lot of bull)
A lot of people said that the team could win without them, so why are some of you still putting down these sisters, why do you hate them so. WHY?

Hey, at least they gave it a go. It was a long shot at best, since veteran players Pennetta and Schiavone are playing some really hot tennis right now. Good try, ladies. There's always a next time. Best of luck in the future.

I agree with Alice: "Never in doubt". Italy has stronger players. It must have been good experience for Melanie, though.

The USA girls tried their very best against the best Italy had to offer. They should be proud and hold their heads up high. Oudin said she felt she left the team and the USA down. No you did not. You did yourself, the team and the country proud.

It is a shame that neither Williams Sisters could have played. Serena saud she'd play unless she was in a wheel chair. As far as I know she isn't in one. Though there is no way to tell if the USA would have won with her since she is hurting and wasn't in the frame of mind to play. I am not bashing the Williams. I just saying it is too bad they couldn't play.

Still, the girls that did play did their very best. And Mary Jo got them to the final in her first year without help from our top players. She deserves credit too.

Thanks Italy for making my day hahaha! 4-0.

NEVER in doubt!

The final score was 7-5, 6-2 to the Fed Cup Champions~Italy!!
This is only their second Fed Cup Victory (2006) and they deserved to win! Congratulations to them, the better team in this year's Championship!!!!
Melanie NEVER gave up, the last game and last points were amazing, she dug deeply and threw everything she had at Pennetta and really had her on her heels several times, but her last shot sailed and it was over~ Great sportsmanship was shown by all the athletes and coaches :-)
I am SO incredibly proud of her and the ENTIRE Ladies USA Team who went to Italy and did their very best! And even though they will return home without the Cup, they will return winners & victorious in so many ways that TRULY 'count' in life~
Marvelous effort to Mary Jo who was constantly and patiently standing by for Melanie~She too was always upbeat and positive, as were the rest of our team!
Their enthusiasm was so great you would have thought they were winning the entire time :-) It was GREAT!!!
God Bless this wonderful nation I call HOME!!!!
GO USA..always~ when there's Fed Cup or Davis Cup!!!
Must sleep a couple of hours before getting up for church~

Melanie came back (2) breaks down to level the first set, but a couple of loose errors enabled Pennetta to get back in it and win the first set. It could have gone either way though!
Melanie clawed and fought every single point against a VERY good clay court player who has the home court advantage & is far more experienced than she.
Our girl is a FIGHTER, she's not slumping or down on herself or negative and I would "challenge" anyone on this board to go and step into her tennis shoes and play under the pressure she's playing under!!!!! 1-1 on serve in the second set~
Keep fighting kiddo!!!!
GO USA!!!!!!!

Yes, I got up just to watch Melanie play LIVE!!!
She is giving it everything she has, but she's down (2) breaks to Pennetta, but Melanie is playing her heart out on that very soft squishy red clay!!! Pennetta is serving for the first set, but Mel is NOT giving up!! She's had some terrific shots thus far. I love her spirit and she is there to win, in spite of all those who are so hateful!!!
Regardless of what happens in the next hour or so, our ladies have represented us well and the few "Americans" there are waving Old Glory and making some NOISE!!!!!
GO USA!!!!!!!

There's still hope. It's not over until the fat lady sings, or in this case, until the last ball is struck.

I'm not a Serena fan, but I won't go on disparaging her. I'm more of a Venus fan. I like how she's more subdued and I love her smile. It's very real and she can be so humble even in defeat.

Anyhoo, okay, Serena's injured. However, she shouldn't have made a statement letting everyone know she'll play Fed Cup unless she's in a wheelchair. Well, I haven't seen any pics of her or any reports she's in a wheelchair. That is, if she really did make that statement. Either way s'okay, though. Gives the current roster a chance to gain some valuable Fed Cup Finals experience, and you really can't do that if you're in the sidelines just watching. GO USA!!!

I so agree with pete's best 14.
go girls and your best!!!!!

When Venus and Serena had dropped out of the Fed Cup ,
it was seen as a cop - out ! So It was not that surprising to
see Oudin and Glatch ( Who is she !?) lose their matches.

Would Serena play in Doha IF because of her injury ?
I doubt that. BUT AFTER Doha where she did WIN ,
she afterwards decided to opt out of the Fed Cup;
and she announced about her strange injury ! !
Very curious circumstances ! IF the injury was not real,
then why she did not play in Italy ?