Daily Zen - Tuesday, June 3

The glory is being happy. 

The glory is not winning here or winning there. 

The glory is enjoying practicing, enjoy every day, 

enjoying to work hard...

~ Rafael Nadal

Weekend Zen, August 17-18

You just try to play tough and focus point for point. Sounds so boring, but it's the right thing to do out there.

~ Rafael Nadal

Rafa Nadal's Press Conference Collapse Serves as Model for Obama

Yesterday I witnessed one of the more surreal moments I can recall in recent professional sports history. Rafael Nadal, the #2 ranked tennis player in the world and defending US Open champion, suffered severe and incapacitating leg cramps during a press conference. After several uncomfortable moments of quiet wincing and squirming, Nadal eventually slid out of his chair, under the desk, and on to the floor. 

As I watched the bizarre event unfold and saw Nadal grimace in sheer agony, several thoughts crossed my mind. First, why doesn't he say something? (Like, "it's okay everyone, just a leg cramp."). Second, why doesn't someone approach to offer help? This goes on for 2 excruciating minutes! (Don't his manager and agent attend his press conferences?)

Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning - this is exactly the tactic President Obama should employ this week in his upcoming "jobs" speech. Let's face it, there really are no easy (and readily acceptable) solutions to the job crisis or someone would already have implemented them. So, instead of sitting behind the Oval Office desk and pretending he has new information or viable ideas to reverse our economic slump, he should just feign an absolutely debilitating leg cramp.

As the President slowly loses his focus and then writhes in imaginary anguish, we will all be so distracted and concerned that we will simply forget about the horrid condition of the nation's economy. We'll all feel an overwhelming flood of sympathy for our tortured Commander-in-Chief, and his approval ratings will rise correspondingly. In the unlikely event that the positive impact of this Presidential collapse is short-lived, the White House can simply re-ignite our sympathies next year by having the President throw up during a United Nations address or maybe tear an ACL during the State of the Union address.

Cincy Tennis - Day 4 (Roger Pics Finally!)

Quarterfinals day proved to be enormously difficult for some of the most beloved tennis players on the tour. Australia's Samantha Stosur was soundly whipped and knocked out of the women's draw, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were both taken out easily on the men's side. I can still be totally interested in the outcome of the tournament without these megalo-superstars, but I'm certain that ESPN and the rest of the sports world will care about Cincy just a little less this weekend with these guys gone.

Still, some big names remain in the semi-finals on Saturday. World #1, Novak Djokovic, will try to extend his unbelievable hot streak in 2011. With a record of 55-1, he has amazingly lost only one match since last December (his completely unbeaten streak ended with a loss to Federer at the French Open). He's won EVERY other tournament he's played in this year. Tomorrow, Novak takes on top ten player Tomas Berdych. The other men's semi-final features world #4 Andy Murray taking on top-ranked American, Mardy Fish (who I actually picked to win it all earlier this week!). On the women's side, Maria Sharapova is the most exciting name left in the draw. She's had a long comeback from shoulder surgery a couple of years ago, so I'm hoping she can prevail.

Having featured only women players yesterday, the pictures included below are the top four men's tennis players in the world, with the most attention given to Roger Federer because, well....he is the greatest player in the history of the game. We were fortunate to see all of the top four ranked guys play today - and that is the miracle of tennis in Cincinnati (who woulda thought that, right? I mean this is reeeally close to Kentucky!).

On a personal side note, this week has also been extremely difficult for my butt ...which can only take so much sitting on metal bleachers. I broke down today and bought a stadium cushion for $9. I'm happy to report that the pain in my ass has subsided and that there will be no photos of this particular tennis injury.

Andy Murray from Great Britain. Paul and I saw him when his first big title in 2007 when he won here in Cincinnati. He is a notorious ass to work with, but he's a pretty phenomenal talent.

Rafael Nadal (Rafa to those of us who know him so well)  is the talented Spaniard who finally ousted Roger Federer from his post atop the tennis world. After an 18-24 month run of seeming insurmountability, Rafa has finally shown some weakness in his game, and he has now been toppled from the top spot by Novak Djokovic. 

Novak Djokovic, proud Serbian, has had a remarkable year.  He has won a record-breaking five "masters" level tournaments (the most important tourneys other than the four Grand Slams), and winning Cincinnati would make six. He has also won two Grand Slams in 2011 (Australian Open and Wimbledon), and he is a favorite for the upcoming US Open. One thing I learned this week - don't piss off Serbian tennis fans. For them, tennis is not just a game, it's a matter of national pride. 

Roger Federer from Switzerland - finest tennis player ever, one of the greatest sportsmen in history, among the smartest athletes you could ever hope to meet (he speaks four languages), and all-around classy guy. 

Fed's grace is apparent on the court as well as off the court. On the court, he floats elegantly from baseline to net. Fed tennis = sports ballet. Off the court, you'll never find a more gracious winner or loser.

Remember, take the racket back early, stay poised and balanced, keep your eye on the ball, and don't forget to look like a graceful Adonis while you do it.

Cincy Tennis - Day 1

Here are a few quick pics from our first night of tennis fandom in Cincinnati. The thing we love most about this tournament is that it manages to feature EVERY major played in the sport, but still maintains a feeling of intimacy. You get to see your favorite players up close and personal while they are practicing, being interviewed by the media, and of course playing matches. Lots more to come...

Part of the city skyline (taken on the drive in from the airport).

Before we even entered the tennis complex, we walked past Rafael Nadal  who was  being golf carted away from one of the practice courts. 

This one is for Alyssa. Former player and commentator Justin Gimelstob was prepping at the Tennis Channel outdoor broadcast desk. I approached him and pointed my iPhone at him and said..."Justin - help me make our friend Alyssa jealous." He spun around in his chair and turned on the charm (and a pretty damn winning smile) instantaneously.