Forum-News » ossessor of one of the best serves in womens tennis

ATLANTA -- Six years and one month ago, Bubba Watson lost a playoff at the PGA Championship in his bid for a first major title. He shook the hand of the winner, Martin Kaymer, then walked off the final green and immediately asked the next person he saw a question that had been weighing on his mind throughout the conclusion of the tournament.Did I make the Ryder Cup team?Watson can be criticized for flaws in both performance and demeanor at times, but his desire has never wavered -- especially when it comes to representing his country.That was true then, when he did indeed qualify for the U.S. team, and it remains true today, as he hopes for the 12th and final spot on the roster going into next weeks competition at Hazeltine National.Its everything, he said of making the team after an opening-round 2-over 72 at the Tour Championship on Thursday. The only two things that were important this year were making the Olympics and making the Ryder Cup team.On this day, one which began with a bogey on the first hole and ended with bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes before a disappointing par on the par-5 finisher, Watson didnt ask any questions about making the team as he walked off the final green.Instead, he was the one being asked the questions -- and insisted he doesnt have any answers as to whether hell be captain Davis Love IIIs final wild-card pick on Sunday evening.I know the same as you know, he told the assembled media. The only thing I know that he told me -- and hes told everybody -- is that its about who matches up well. I dont know what that means. I dont know if its about partners. If a guy matches up better with two people or a guy matches up better with three people. I dont know that.He actually knows a little more than that.He knows that -- according to the captain, at least -- his result at East Lake Golf Club wont determine his fate for being on the team. As much of a head-scratcher as it sounds, considering the task force charged with overseeing the team pushed back the final pick specifically to allow room for a hot player to be chosen late, Love has told Watson and others that their performance this week wont impact the selection process.Theres nothing I can do now, Watson explained. Davis said its all about strategies and different things. Its not about my play. Its not about anybodys play. So I cant worry about that.He also cant -- and wont -- worry about being the focal point of discussions surrounding that final pick.There are some who are adamant that itll be him, no matter what; there are others who maintain he definitely wont be it. There are some advocating that his booming drives will put pressure on the European counterparts; there are others who believe his tendency to sulk when struggling is a deficiency the U.S. team cant afford.Not that Watson has heard any of this chatter.He insists that he hasnt watched, read or listened to any media in two years -- especially media analyzing, writing or speaking about him.What he has heard about is what some potential teammates have said about having the worlds seventh-ranked player in the team room next week.People came up to me and said, Do you know what Jordan [Spieth] said about you? Do you know what Brandt [Snedeker] said about you? So I thank both of them, he said. That was the only clips of media I know about.Its true. If there is a contingent of U.S. players lobbying for Watson to be excluded, they might be part of a silent minority.I dont know where everybody gets this idea that Bubba Watson is a bad teammate, Snedeker said earlier this week. He is probably one of the best teammates you could possibly have. I want that out there for everybody to hear. Bubba Watson is a great teammate. So I dont know why everybody keeps making this diversion of the truth, making Bubba out to be this bad guy.He is a great teammate. He was unbelievable on Monday [in a practice round at Hazeltine]. Hes been unbelievable all year. And we would be lucky to have him on the team as a teammate, period, end of story.Snedeker and the other players might want him there no matter what.On Thursday, Watson revealed that he texted Love recently and asked if he could serve as an assistant captain if hes not picked for the team.Theres going to be one year, hopefully before I pass away, that we actually win, he said with a smile. I want to be a part of it.Hed prefer that role come as a player, but that wont be announced until Sunday evening.When Watson walks off the final green this time, instead of asking the next person he sees whether he made the Ryder Cup team, hell await a phone call from the captain, determining whether his inherent desire to represent the U.S. will culminate in an official tee time next week. Cheap Rockies Jerseys . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Cheap Rockies Jerseys China . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. http://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.com/ .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Cheap Rockies Jerseys Authentic . 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When Venus Williams pushed one last forehand long to lose in the first round for the first time in her record five Olympic singles tournaments, her opponent celebrated as if having claimed a gold medal, dropping down on the green hard court to plant a kiss on the white five-ring logo.This was clearly a very big deal to Kirsten Flipkens, a Belgian ranked 62nd and only once as far as the semifinals at a Grand Slam event.Just two points away from winning on four occasions while portions of the crowd turned hostile toward her, the 36-year-old Williams faded as Saturday nights match stretched past 3 hours and she was stunned 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) by Flipkens on Day 1 of tennis at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.The 36-year-old American -- owner of four gold medals and seven Grand Slam titles -- labored at times and showed frustration by shouting Ridiculous! after one point Saturday.Afterward, Williams did not speak to reporters. Instead, U.S. womens tennis coach Mary Joe Fernandez did, saying that Williams was sick before arriving in Brazil. Fernandez added that Williams had cramping, dehydration and an upset stomach after her loss, but still hoped to play doubles Sunday with younger sister Serena.I would be highly surprised if she didnt play, because this has been her goal for the last four years -- to come back to the Olympics, Fernandez said. She wants to win a medal so badly in anything. Knowing Venus, she will be out there, no matter how badly shes feeling.Williams owns four gold medals: one in singles and three in doubles. She owns 21 Grand Slam titles: seven in singles, 14 in doubles. But she labored at times Saturday and even showed frustration by shouting Ridiculous! after dropping one point.With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry watching, the fifth-seeded Williams was broken while serving for the victory at 5-3. She was two points from a win four times but could not close out Flipkens, who is ranked 62nd and reached the semifinals of a major tournament only once.Williams was coming off a ruun to the semifinals at Wimbledon last month, her best showing at a major since 2010.dddddddddddd That also made her the oldest woman since 1994 to reach a Grand Slam tournaments final four. And it helped her attain her best ranking since revealing in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with Sjongrens syndrome, which can cause joint pain and fatigue.Shes used to not feeling 100 percent with her Sjongrens, and I think thats why we saw her compete and fight to the end, Fernandez said. ?Credit to Flipkens, who hung around and defended so well and made her play extra shots.Williams is the first tennis player to participate in singles at five Olympics, and never had failed to reach at least the third round before, claiming a gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. She also won doubles golds in 2000, 2008 and 2012. But against Flipkens, who was making her Olympic debut, Williams failed to find the right measure on most of her strokes and wound up with 13 fewer winners on courts that competitors agree are playing slowly. Williams, once possessor of one of the best serves in womens tennis, hit one ace, five fewer than Flipkens.This is just one of the most epic matches in my life, Flipkens said.The fans couldnt seem to settle on which woman they wanted to win. They greeted Williams far more loudly and warmly during prematch introductions, although perhaps that was because of her far-greater name recognition. Later, though, they roared when Williams made mistakes. They clapped when she double-faulted. They even gave her grief for the common and innocuous practice of catching a ball toss that wasnt good.When one group of spectators bellowed a USA! USA! chant late in the third set, others responded by booing (Kerry had left by then).They just enjoyed my game because, I think, Im a little girl trying to do some special stuff to get a chance to beat a champion like that, Flipkens said. ' ' '