Serena vs Andy--What Are Your Thoughts?

Serena in action--would it be enough to hurt Murray?

Murray showing off his new in-shape physique.

Martina flaunting her usual ludicrous comments.

Two very interesting thoughts and comments came out of Wimbledon this week.  The first was the idea of Serena Williams playing Andy Murray and the other was Martina Navratilova suggesting that the men should play 2 out of 3 sets instead of 3 out of 5.

Printed below is the writeup and interview with Andy and Serena and its pretty interesting.  We won't give much space to Martina's comments since its probably just a backdoor method of trying to get the men to play 2 out 3 sets to justify the equal prize money.

LONDON (AP) — At the moment, no woman seems capable of providing much of a challenge to Serena Williams on a tennis court.

She's won 33 matches in a row, and 76 of her past 79. If she wins five more this fortnight, as almost everyone expects, Williams will earn a second consecutive Wimbledon title and 17th Grand Slam championship overall.

So how about playing an exhibition match against a man? Andy Murray, for example?

After Williams beat 100th-ranked qualifier Caroline Garcia of France 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round at the All England Club, the first question at her news conference Thursday concerned a suggestion by Murray — prompted by a fan's Twitter post — that the pair of reigning Olympic and U.S. Open champions play each other.

"Really? He wants to play me? Is he sure?" Williams responded, laughing heartily. "That would be fun. I doubt I'd win a point, but that would be fun."

It might draw some attention, too, given the combined star power of Williams in the U.S. and Murray in Britain. Currently, she is No. 1 in the WTA rankings; he's No. 2 in the ATP rankings.

"He's probably one of the top three people I definitely don't want to play," Williams said. "But maybe we can have a little bit of a showdown. That would be fine. I get (to use the doubles) alleys. He gets no serves. I get alleys on my serves, too."

In a piece posted on www.bbc.co.uk on Thursday morning, Murray refers to the original tweet in which someone mentioned he should face Williams.

"I'd be up for it, why not?" Murray said. "I've never hit with her but she's an incredible player and people would be interested to see the men play against the women to see how the styles match up."

An "Ailing" Nadal? He Sure Seemed Fit At The French Open

Nadal in a losing effort at Wimbledon

Thought you might enjoy reading a news wire report of Nadal's loss today.  Seems rather interesting because it wasn't but just a few days ago that he swept through the French Open and he sure seemed fit then...

LONDON (AP) -- In one of Wimbledon's greatest upsets, an ailing Rafael Nadal was knocked out in straight sets Monday by a player ranked 135th - the Spaniard's first loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam event.

Steve Darcis of Belgium stunned the two-time champion 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 6-4. He ended Nadal's 22-match winning streak and eliminated one of the Big Four of men's tennis on the very first day of the grass-court Grand Slam.

Nadal was sidelined for seven months with a left knee injury after losing in the second round of Wimbledon last year. He seemed to be struggling physically. He was unable to turn on the speed or use his legs to spring into his groundstrokes, limping and failing to run for some shots.

Wimbledon Starts Monday--and Love Is In Bloom!

The historic Wimbledon tennis tournament starts on Monday (June 24) and love is already blossoming all around.  However, it seems that love isn't all that cooking between Maria and Serena...

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sharapova-sends-verbal-shot-serena-150141656--ten.html

Maria and her boyfriend, Grigor Dimitrov 

Love is definitely in the air!

Serena and her boyfriend, Patrick Mouratoglou

Patrick and Serena watching tennis together.

The lovebirds out for a swim.

Serena Chastised For Rape Case Comments

Serena Williams has reached out to the family of the victim in the Steubenville, Ohio, rape case after the tennis star was quoted in a Rolling Stone article saying ''she shouldn't have put herself in that position.''

The tennis star, in England preparing for Wimbledon, spoke to the victim, her mother and a family lawyer for about 30 minutes Wednesday, the lawyer said.

''Serena was very nice, very sincere and it was a very well-received conversation among two women and a young lady,'' attorney Bob Fitzsimmons said Thursday.

Williams apologized in a statement released through her agent Wednesday.

''I am currently reaching out to the girl's family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article,'' the statement said. ''What was written - what I supposedly said - is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.''

The comment was made in one paragraph of a long story posted online Tuesday about Williams. The 16-time Grand Slam tournament winner is coming off a French Open title and is ranked No. 1 entering Wimbledon, which starts next week.

The victim's family welcomed Williams' apology in its own statement Wednesday, saying it was ''proud of her'' for the updated remarks.

''We are sure Serena has & will continue to use her God given talents to advance women's equality and send the message that rape is never acceptable under any circumstance,'' according to the statement released by Fitzsimmons.

''We are fans of Serena and will continue rooting for many more championships but more importantly watching her advance the cause of rape victims who are never to blame.''

Two players from a high school football team in Steubenville were convicted in March of raping a drunken 16-year-old girl. One of the boys was ordered to serve an additional year for photographing the girl naked. The case gained widespread attention in part because of the callousness with which other students used social media to gossip about it.

''What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened,'' Williams said in the statement. ''For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved - that of the rape victim and of the accused.''

According to the Rolling Stone story, Williams says the perpetrators of the crime ''did something stupid,'' and she asks: ''Do you think it was fair, what they got?''

She adds, ''I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you: Don't take drinks from other people.''

Williams also is quoted as saying: ''... she shouldn't have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that's different.''

Williams added in her statement: ''I have fought all of my career for women's equality, women's equal rights, respect in their fields - anything I could do to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old child.''

WTA CEO Stacey Allaster said in a statement the tour had been touch with Williams about the article.

''If she was accurately quoted, then Serena's comments were both insensitive and wrong,'' Allaster said. ''We disagree with the statements and have made that clear to her.''

Remember To Pray For Millard Countryman

MILLARD COUNTRYMAN

One of our most highly respected officials, Millard Countryman of Tyler, recently had a masssive stroke and is in the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas.  Millard had just retired from officiating after many years of officiating grass roots and collegiate tennis in the Tyler area when he was stricken.  Over the years Millard has been a friend and mentor to many of us in the officiating world and his influence has reached throughout the country.

I know Millard and his wife, Nancy, would appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.

"The Gathering" 2013

A great time was had by all at "The Gathering."  Be sure to make your plans now to attend "The Gathering" in June, 2014.

Don Brandy enjoying the food, fun, and fellowship!

Mark Gatzki and Lynn Wiggins laughing at the volleyball players.

Terry Gatzki reacting to her volleyball invitation.

Carol Bruehler and her group of men!

Ron Guse explaining water volleyball to Vickie Wright.

Marla Krueger wondering what Myron is up to now.

Carol Bruehler making her point to Randy.

Vickie Wright and Randy hugging in the kitchen!

Randy trying to figure out what all is happening.

Sara Lammerts and Pam Tolbert in action!

Gary Tolbert serving in the pool.

Pam Tolbert coaching Gary on the right way to do it.

Gary and Pam enjoying a victory celebration!

Tom Wright doing what he does best!

Ty McDonald and Rick Gabel teaming up for victory!

Ty and Sara enjoying the day.

Ty serving to all the old people.

Carol Bruehler and two of her men.

Vickie Wright and Sara Lammerts just enjoying the party.

Volleyball action!

Carol Bruehler in action!

Jennifer and Bob Williamson laughing at everyone else.

Vickie Wright relaxing after a job well done...