Balls to the wall coverage of the ATP tour
After leading team USA to a win over France in Davis Cup, Isner seems to indicate that the guys really think they could beat Spain. Just talk or after getting by Switzerland and France without much trouble, do they really think they can get to the final? They sure have proved that they are more than competent on clay, but we’ll see in September how they deal with the dirt ballin’ Spaniards.
(Video via OfficialDavisCup)
Davis Cup is great for many reasons: bringing the team dynamic to an individual sport, the honor of playing for your country, and, of course, thunderstix. But the best thing about DC by far is the pictures from the many draw ceremonies. All our favorite players together in matching outfits smiling and giggling? Epic win!
Smiling, shaking hands, posing adorably?! I mean…come on!
Of course, Vik isn’t quite down with the smiling and giggling. Does anyone else do bitch face better?
Bahahahahhahaha (he’s short)
*meow* indeed, Delpo
(Pics via Getty Images)
Fernando may not have played a major part in Spain’s win over USA at Davis Cup, but you would never know it from the draw press conference. Though he seemed a little bored at first, he did he try to entertain himself (and us?) in various ways to make the time go by…
First he tried to follow whatever it was that Albert Costa was talking about, but he was not thrilled at what he heard. Did he just learn then that he wasn’t playing the singles rubber? Did Albert threaten to confiscate his hair gel if he couldn’t contain his double faults?
WHAT??? I can haz hair gel?!?!
Girl, you the best!
Seriously, though Fernando got a major case of the giggles. Lord knows what he found so funny. Even Granollers, unofficial head cheerleader of the armada, was like, ‘Dude, seriously? Calm down.’
Verdasco even embarrassed his bestie Feli in front of the Bryans brothers. The forced smile on Feli’s face looks like he is in pain. Our emo Feli, how Fernando makes him suffer….
You can check out more pictures from the draw ceremony (including both Spain and USA) on the facebook page.
(Pics via Racquet Required)
The draw ceremony for the Davis Cup draw was open to the public for $10, with all proceeds going to charity. As a bonus, they let the crowd stay for the press conference. Fuller post (with pics!) to come, but in the meantime, enjoys these gems from the Spanish players:
Verdasco on playing the Bryan brothers with Lopez. Even though they did not play, glad to know the boys thought that one out… “We are close to be twins.” There was never any doubt, Fer:
Ferrer on why the fast court was not going to be the most important factor:
True that, Daveed, true that
(Videos via Racquet Required)
Now that is how you give a “come hither” gaze
This picture alone was worth the price of admission….
(Pic via Racquet Required)
Note how the email clearly states on the bottom that you need to have the code “DAVISCUP11″ and your valid USTA Membership number.
At 10am CT sharp this morning, I clicked the link provided in the email, entered the code “DAVISCUP11″ and purchased 5 tickets for the 3 day event. I was never asked for my USTA Membership number.
Then I go on twitter to see who else got their DC tickets. I immediately see complaints that the most expensive tickets were gone in a couple minutes. Strange, but people on my timeline were available to get less expensive ticket packages.
Then, an hour and forty-five minutes after the tickets first go on sale, it’s announced that the presale has sold out. That’s amazing that the event sold out so quickly, right? Who would have thought that tennis fans would turn out in full force for the event. Even Roddick, who only tweets sporadically, crowed about it.
Maybe tennis fans (and USTA members) were just so crazed and excited about the prospect of seeing Spain and the US play. US fans love tennis! Not so fast.
It seems ticket companies all over the internet were able to secure tickets as well. I don’t mean those tennis tours that sell packages to various tennis events. I mean straight up scalpers. Seems they were able to take advantage of being able to buy tickets without providing a valid USTA Membership number. Some sites have simply jacked up the price of the tickets, http://www.ticketcity.com/tennis-tickets/davis-cup-tennis-tickets/davis-cup-tennis-tickets-frank-erwin-center-july-8-tba.html. Those $315 seats were being sold during the presale for $140.
Other sites are selling tickets PER DAY, even though the presale only allowed you to purchase packages that included tickets for all 3 days. The prices at the following sites vary, but $300 for just Friday tickets when the same amount was what some 3 day passes cost in the presale is outrageous
http://www.fantickets.com/LiveTicketDetail.asp?EventID=1092302
http://www.ticketfuse.com/sports_tickets/davis_cup_-_usa_tickets/davis_cup_-_usa_4614862.php
http://www.512tickets.com/Buy_Tickets/Davis_Cup___USA_vs_Spain_Tickets_Austin_TX_Frank_Erwin_Center/1092302/
http://www.horizontickets.com/tennis/tickets-davis-cup-tennis/july-08-2011-2207388.php
None of these ticket sites say exactly where you will be sitting, just the general area. No one who bought their tickets through the presale today knows what seat or row they are sitting in either. The website that ran the presale said:
“Tickets are sold and priced as a three day series package only. You will be purchasing a seat in a certain price level but will not receive a specific seat assignment when you place your order. Seats will be assigned on a best available basis and orders processed based on the date and time the order was received. Today’s purchase guarantees you a seat in the price level selected. No further action is required for your seat assignment to occur. Tickets will be mailed three weeks prior to the event.”
Fair enough, but then how are these two sites selling tickets that tell you EXACTLY where you will be sitting:
http://www.2-tickets.com/ViewTickets.php?tid=222&pid=1108466
http://www.vividseats.com/shop/viewTickets.shtml?productionId=1125187
Somehow I doubt that all these ticket brokers are affiliated with people who are valid USTA members. Isn’t it interesting that the presale never asked for that USTA membership number? Turns out that anyone, including scalpers, could have bought tickets. And look at the buzz the USTA got by announcing that the presale “sold out”! If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would say something about how this was all intentionally done. I am not, but I am a due-paying member of the USTA who is royally pissed off that other due-paying members of the USTA never got a chance to buy tickets in the presale. I saw many USTA members on my Twitter timeline who were bummed that they missed the chance to buy tickets.
USTA members are the backbone of tennis in this country. They play the sport, watch the sport, and spend money on the sport. No matter who is at fault in the screw-up with the ticket pre-sale, it is these members who have been screwed. And that is just wrong.
Austin, TX has been chosen as the site for the Davis Cup tie between USA and Spain. That was perhaps the worst kept secret ever. Why even bother getting Albany and San Antonio’s hopes up? At any rate, I have heard amazing things about Austin as a city so they should be a great host.
I am almost definitely going (tickets have not gone on sale yet), and I am looking forward to it. I have never been to a tennis match with a rowdy crowd. I also hope to meet many of the people who just as nuts about tennis as I am. If you are planning on going, please hit me up on twitter or leave a note in the comments section. As it gets closer to the tie, I’ll see if I can’t organize a twitter meet-up, or if someone who knows the city better and wants to volunteer organizing that let me know.
So who will you be rooting for, USA or Spain? Roddick or Nadal? Or will you just be going to cheer on #TeamPretty?
Rafa was really enjoying the tunes during Feli’s DC singles match…
Love how Fer’s laughing at him.
Speaking of Fer, watch him literally pop a squat during the Armada’s celebration dance
I so want a gif of that. Get on it, people.
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