# U.S. Open \[TENNIS\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 29, 2011, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476 "2011-08-29T06:42:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/181 "2011-09-11T17:22:30Z")
> [@Chicagojeff](#): > > I’ve never been comfortable with this subject which aside from Martina has primarily been brought up concerning the Williams sisters.. I think the connotations are pretty clear and its slightly disturbing!!! Maybe I am naive, but I think it is brought up with respect to the Williams sisters because they took the women’s game to a completely different level, particularly with respect to power and speed, such that it looks to the casual observer as if they might be able to compete with men. Plus when they were younger, the Williams themselves alluded to being competitive with men, although they were only teenagers at the time and have wisely kept quiet since. Hence to my mind it is a compliment to the Williams that some people raise the question of whether women can compete with men. As is the case in this thread, the question is usually raised by people who do not know much about tennis. **Xema** himself is open about that and is genuinely curious to know the answer. Several people with more tennis knowledge have answered - fighting ignorance, and all that. I really don’t see any disturbing issues here. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/182 "2011-09-11T17:26:44Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Wozniacki didn’t invent the points system, so I think it’s a little unfair when people blame _her_ for the ranking. Exactly. The WTA sets rules for the ranking system giving points at varying levels according to the prestige of the tournament, and requires a minimum number of tournaments to be played. That seems entirely reasonable to me. If the best player in the world, as Serena has clearly been for several years, does not play in many tournaments (whether by choice or forced by injury), then that person does not get the #1 ranking. There is no fundamental rule that says that the number 1 ranked player has to be the best in the world and vice versa. Serena is the best in the world and Wozniacki is the deserving #1 ranked player. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/183 "2011-09-11T19:59:43Z")
Serena v.Samatha…my prediction Serena wins 6-2 6-2. The pre match and post match take more time then the final. Stosur is so erratic and gets tight. We’ll see! ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/184 "2011-09-11T21:03:37Z")
Go nonSerena Williams contestant! ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/185 "2011-09-11T21:31:22Z")
Stosur took the first set, and looked good doing it. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/186 "2011-09-11T21:48:32Z")
Could I possibly hate Serena Williams any more than I already did? Why yes I could. Way to debase the sport once again, Williams. Next time, bring class. BTW, even I called the hindrance. I turned to my husband and said, “You can’t do that.” ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/187 "2011-09-11T22:02:31Z")
Just tuning in, what did Serena do? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/188 "2011-09-11T22:05:56Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Just tuning in, what did Serena do? Well she did not win the US Open. Stosur did that, just a few moments ago. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/189 "2011-09-11T22:05:57Z")
She shouted, “Come on!” after she hit a great forehand. The point wasn’t over yet. It would have been a winner. She got a hindrance penalty and the point went to Stosur. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/190 "2011-09-11T22:08:07Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Just tuning in, what did Serena do? She hit a ball that she thought was a winner and yelled “Come on.” Stosur just barely got her racquet on it, so Serena was called for a point penalty and Stosur won the game. You can’t shout while the ball’s in play, but it was a dodgy call. Stosur had no chance to hit that ball back. Anyway that was a fantastic match by Stosur. Serena didn’t look her best - I think the foot was bothering her - but Stosur played great throughout and rose to the occasion. She deserved to win. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/191 "2011-09-11T22:08:30Z")
Good win, Stosur. She played thru her nerves and finally gor a win. Serena didn’t shake the referee’s hand. I guess she made Williams shout out. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/192 "2011-09-11T22:13:11Z")
And I guess she protested? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/193 "2011-09-11T22:13:50Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > And I guess she protested? She asked what was going on and chewed the umpire out during the changeover. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/194 "2011-09-11T22:14:27Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > She hit a ball that she thought was a winner and yelled “Come on.” Stosur just barely got her racquet on it, so Serena was called for a point penalty and Stosur won the game. You can’t shout while the ball’s in play, but it was a dodgy call. I disagree. She should have waited til the point was over. At the very best, it was horribly unsportsmanlike. But I have zero sympathy for Williams because she knows the rules and couldn’t control herself. As Carrillo said, “Bad form.” ---
**Author:** ![Shooby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/195 "2011-09-11T22:14:47Z")
Don’t forget that Serena also went on a little tirade against the umpire, saying choice bits like: “You’re a hater and you’re unattractive inside. What a loser!” “If we’re walking down the same hall, walk the other way.” “Don’t even look at me!” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/196 "2011-09-11T22:16:58Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > She should have waited til the point was over. She thought the point was over. She was a little early and she should’ve just waited, but there you have it. > [@](#): > > At the very best, it was horribly unsportsmanlike. I don’t think saying “Come on” half a second early at a juncture where it made no difference is even intentional, nevermind unsportsmanlike. Anyway in her postmatch comments she said the call made no difference. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/197 "2011-09-11T22:19:52Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I actually thought Stosur did a great job last night and I wondered if she could be putting her reputation behind her. I thought Serena was going to win this one, but I think I was right about this bit. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/198 "2011-09-11T22:23:58Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t think saying “Come on” half a second early at a juncture where it made no difference is even intentional, nevermind unsportsmanlike. Anyway in her postmatch comments she said the call made no difference. I can’t recall one instance where a male or female player has ever called out like that in the middle of a point. I’ve seen a lot of fist pumps and yelling, but always after the point is over. That is the difference and a very important distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/199 "2011-09-11T22:28:59Z")
It wasn’t the middle of the point. It was the end of the point. Stosur happened to get her racquet on the ball, but didn’t come anywhere close to putting it in play. If she hadn’t stuck her racquet out, nobody would have noticed. The rules are what they are, but her slightly-early yell did not affect the point at all. If the umpire had to get involved I think a let would have been a better solution. I’d rather talk about Stosur’s performance rather than this. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476/200 "2011-09-11T22:34:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It wasn’t the middle of the point. It was the end of the point. Semantics. Any point between the serve and when the ball bounces twice is considered the middle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-open-tennis/594476.md?page=11)