Maria Sharapova Tennis After Drugs

Maria SharapovaThe last time I wrote about Maria Sharapova was when she featured as a Hot Sports Babe. Since then she’s been banned from tennis as a drug cheat. As her doping ban nears a close she would have to fight her way up the ladder just to be included in a tournament. That is of course unless she’s offered a wildcard!

Much to the disappointment of many a tennis fan, and some big name tennis players, Maria Sharapova has been offered a wild card at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

The question is should she be offered a wild card or should she be forced to fight through the ranks for another chance at a tournament.? Why even would she even be offered a wildcard? After all one should be discouraging drug cheats not offering them crumbs to give them a leg up, right?

Why Maria Sharapova Is Offered A Wildcard.

According to her agent, Max Eisenbud, ‘The interest has been there, claimed Eisenbud. “Every WTA tournament called me, every single one,” he said.’

Personally I reckon it’s purely a business decision. Tournament officials obviously believe that Maria Sharapova will be a draw card. I’m sure more people will come to watch her play than would avoid attending because of her presence. Everyone involved wants their tournament to be a success and those offering Maria a wildcard obviously believe she will help to secure that success.

Former No.1 Chrissie Evert supports the wildcards being offered saying, “Maria has served her term and this decision of playing is really within the rule as far as the wild card entry,” Evert told the media. “I remember many, many weeks I started out on a Wednesday playing a match so it’s not like first rounds aren’t on Wednesday.”

Me, I’m more than happy to have her back. Who knows, with the break she was forced to have Sharapova may even be really successful.

What’s your feelings on her being offered all these wildcards.

Woman’s AFL Is It Here To Stay?

I don’t know about you but I have to admit, when I first heard about the Woman’s AFL league I thought it wouldn’t last. I didn’t think people would be interested in watching a bunch of inexperienced women playing football. Not unless they were going to follow the Yanks Lingerie Football that is. :tongue_out:

Are You Enjoying Woman’s AFL?

Woman's AFL

Then came the Carlton vs Collingwood game at Princes Park, a game where fans had to be shut out because so many turned up for the game. Larger than expected crowds also showed up at Thebarton, Western Oval and even at Casey Fields.

Still, there are a lot of naysayers, saying it won’t last and that crowds are only showing up because of the free games. “There’s no way people will pay money to watch this type of game”. Or, “Shit, watching the under 10’s footy is more exciting. Watching the women’s lack of footy skills is so frustrating”, from another of my workmates.

My first experience of Woman’s AFL was the Crows vs Western Bulldogs game at Whitten Oval. Sure there was a lot of fumbling of the ball, and they need to improve their handball skills and stuff, but I still found the game exciting enough to enjoy. Sure, part of the thrill comes from watching your team battle against their foe but the majority of it comes from watching these women throw themselves into the game. There was no holding back and that is part of what makes a footy game exciting.

Don’t Be Too Harsh To Woman’s AFL

Before you judge woman’s AFL too harshly, just keep in mind that the vast majority of these women come into this game with little or no experience. They’re getting payed peanuts to play, and up until a couple of months ago were amateurs. Unlike the blokes they play and train part time as most have jobs to go to. I’m sure they’ll only get better with each game and that’s only going to make it more exciting. Shit, I might even place a few bets on Woman’s AFL.

Follow this link for a quick guide to Woman’s AFL.

What’s your opinion on the AFL Woman’s league?

Maria Vittoria Viviani-When Umpires Get It Wrong In Tennis

Don’t you hate it when umpires get it wrong? I know it sure as hell pisses me off, especially if I have money on the game! I really feel for sorry for Seventeen year old Maria Vittoria Viviani who was disqualified from the Australian open for hitting a ball kid.

When I first heard this story I thought that Maria smashed the ball at the ball kid. The reporter made it sound as if it was almost intentional. Then I saw a video of it and I thought, what a lot of bullshit! You can see the incidence in the animated gif below.

Maria Vittoria Viviani Tennis Ball Incident

 

 

As you can see Maria Vittoria Viviani hardly put any force into that ball at all. It was merely a moment of frustration and she was immediately apologetic when she realized what she had done. I’m sure if the ball boy/girl was more attentive he would have caught the ball with ease. Instead it hit him in the chest and the dumb umpire took it upon himself to disqualify her. Poor Maria left the court in tears.

According to this article, on the same day, ” Japan’s Kei Nishikori softly swatted a ball away and made contact with a ball kid Maria Vittoria Vivianiduring his fourth round clash against Roger Federer – however he went unsanctioned for the accidental contact.” Shit, no wonder the up and coming tennis players may tend to act up when they see the pros getting away the same sort of shit.

Then again, if it wasn’t for some of the shenanigans that our tennis players come up with tennis wouldn’t be as entertaining as it is. We love the tennis racket smashing and the blowups almost as much as the brilliant rallies and such.

As far as dummy spits go Maria has a lot to learn if she wants to be renowned as the ‘bad girl’ in tennis :tongue_out:

Here are what others have had to say on the subject.

  • Maria speaks out on being booted out of the Australia Open.
  • Maria’s 3 month pre-season training up in smoke because of disqualification.
  • Fans outcry over harsh decision against Maria Vittoria Viviani.

What’s your take on the Maria Vittoria Viviani incident