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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on May 2, 2004 2:17:56 GMT -5
I love that a festival of errors, it's like one of my matches.
Seriously, it's sad to see where Corretja is at the moment. I mean he is just as fast and his backhand is still very good, I remember when he first came on tour and only had a slice, it's just his forehand and serve are so bad these days it hurts.
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Post by RogiFan on May 2, 2004 20:03:25 GMT -5
Indeed it is sad... Alex is one player I've always wanted to see live but he hardly ever comes to TMS Canada and by the time I get to Barcelona or other tourneys, he'll have retired... he is such a hardworking player... not the "talent guy" as he said but the worker. Alex is a cool guy and a great spokesman for tennis!
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Post by Lee on May 2, 2004 20:05:47 GMT -5
And Alex is in the main draw
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Post by RogiFan on May 24, 2004 9:14:36 GMT -5
Spasiba Yevy! YAY Alex won his first round match beating Ken Doll 6-1 4-6 6-3 6-2! This deserves a Mexican wave! Keep going Alex! How about some Thai beef salad for your second course next? VAMOS!!!!!
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Post by RogiFan on May 24, 2004 9:18:14 GMT -5
Encouraging stats for Alex too: 1st Serve % 56 of 104 = 54 % Aces 7 Double Faults 6 Unforced Errors 16 Winning % on 1st Serve 37 of 56 = 66 % Winning % on 2nd Serve 31 of 48 = 65 % Winners (Including Service) 47 Receiving Points Won 61 of 126 = 48 % Break Point Conversions 8 of 17 = 47 % Net Approaches 8 of 12 = 67 % Gotta work on that first serve %!
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 23, 2004 22:08:10 GMT -5
How I miss Alex... will he even get into tourneys like Barcelona next year or any of the TMSes??
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:04:23 GMT -5
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 20:08:21 GMT -5
Did you ever find "La Sede"?
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:08:52 GMT -5
George Speaking of thunderthighs... did you know that Alex has "legendary thighs"? He does indeed...
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 20:15:45 GMT -5
George Speaking of thunderthighs... did you know that Alex has "legendary thighs"? He does indeed... He has claycourters legs so they say. I mean I know one of my female friends who is very fond of Alex and made that point herself.
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:22:59 GMT -5
No I never did -- I think I phoned and it wasn't at that phone number or sth -- can't remember. It was in an area of BCN that was a bit far fr the centre... too bad! If you ever find out if it's still around and where it is, let me know for my return trip to BCN!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 20:27:08 GMT -5
Yes, of course I will find out in January whether it's still there or not straight from the horses mouth, but if I can't find it from him I will get it from Costa.
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:32:32 GMT -5
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 20:36:36 GMT -5
COOL! And while you're asking, tell Alex and Albert to get their buns over to Montreal next summer... I've been waiting forever to see Alex play in Canada... You have been a bit unlucky haven't you with Alex. I mean he will really need to get his ranking in order before he could consider coming back to Montreal. The thing with Alex and he should remember, a talentless prick like Spadea was able to come back from so far, he should use that as an inspiration.
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:41:23 GMT -5
Yeah, my sis and I are hoping that Alex can really get his act together in 2005 and get back to where he belongs -- he's only 30! And yes, talentless IS the operative word when describing that creep Spadea... cringe! I mean, I've even been to his town... walked into the 100-yr-old church where he got married... We did see Alex practise in Madrid but it was imposible! to get near him -- he's that popular in Spain!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 20:47:54 GMT -5
Yeah, my sis and I are hoping that Alex can really get his act together in 2005 and get back to where he belongs -- he's only 30! And yes, talentless IS the operative word when describing that creep Spadea... cringe! I mean, I've even been to his town... walked into the 100-yr-old church where he got married... We did see Alex practise in Madrid but it was imposible! to get near him -- he's that popular in Spain! Alex is only 30, but he really needs to stop making errors on his forehand. I mean he still has the fitness and the backhand, but his serve and forehand are just very weak these days. You really love Alex don't you? You travelled to Sant Cugat to see the church, that is very keen. It's funny both Alex and Albert have daughters I wonder if they will be tenistas as well. Wel he is popular everywhere, especially in Europe but at home it makes plenty of sense. He is very urbane and well spoken and very proud of his Catalan roots.
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Post by RogiFan on Nov 29, 2004 20:55:27 GMT -5
George you are right, there's not enough Corretja Love -- Alex is not only a great tennis player, despite having never won a slam -- he is one of the smartest players -- he's also a cool guy! He's good-looking, funny, intelligent, a linguist [loved when he spoke French at the RG final ceremony, poor guy], he cares about the sport of tennis and is a great ambassador for the sport; he is not afraid to speak his mind, like Arantxa, he's one of my fave Barcelona guys! He has a lovely wife, who, by all accounts, is a really nice person, a cute little daughter [and I'm sure those Costa twins adore her] and is going to be a papa for the second time!
Yeah, I really like Alex... and I'd love to see him play on clay... in the Godo!
And isn't it interesting that he, of all the Spanish guys, is the only one who's beaten Nadal, twice! Also, when he won the year-end championships in Hanover 98, he not only beat the favoured Moya, but he also beat AA and Sampras -- in fact, he has beaten both of those top guys before. He's like Rafter, having beaten top guys... and young guys alike.
It would be nice if someone wrote a bio about him some day... I'd read it even in Catalan! I loved it when he spoke Catalan in the RG ceremony in 2001 -- he was so pissed off w the French crowd who didn't support him... smart guy said it in Catalan so they w not understand!! ;D
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Nov 29, 2004 21:12:03 GMT -5
George you are right, there's not enough Corretja Love -- Alex is not only a great tennis player, despite having never won a slam -- he is one of the smartest players -- he's also a cool guy! He's good-looking, funny, intelligent, a linguist [loved when he spoke French at the RG final ceremony, poor guy], he cares about the sport of tennis and is a great ambassador for the sport; he is not afraid to speak his mind, like Arantxa, he's one of my fave Barcelona guys! He has a lovely wife, who, by all accounts, is a really nice person, a cute little daughter [and I'm sure those Costa twins adore her] and is going to be a papa for the second time!
Alex will always be one of those guys who will be underrated no matter what he achieves. Tactically he is one of the best ones as well and many clay used to ask him for tips on how to play certain guys on clay. Well a since of directness and the respect he has from his peers so that adds to his appeal as well. Yes, some of the French-speaking girls on MTF were very happy that he spoke in French. Arantxa, well I liked her off the court, more than on the court. It's sad that Todd Martin can win there, but Alex has never been able to, and I think that does disappoint him, a bit similar to Rogi and not winning Basel yet. That 98 win was fantastic, but I think he would trade that for a French Open victory. He will always be underrated and that is something that I have come to accept. I love the fact that he beat Sampras on grass. I thought you couldn't understand Catalan? ;D As for a biography it would be interesting, but he should do it once he retires. I wasn't aware that he spoke in Catalan, then again he did speak in Spanish so he could have easily slipped it in. There is a lot of Guga love at RG, and they find it very hard to cheer against him there, but Alex had chances to go 2 sets up, but once the wind died down it was over for him.
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 9, 2004 20:58:29 GMT -5
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 22:42:12 GMT -5
Thanks for all the photos and I wonder if the wedding was done in Catalan?
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 11, 2004 22:52:24 GMT -5
Who knows? Es posible... Balcells got married in the sailors' church, Santa Maria del Mar, an old, high-ceilinged gothic church -- very dark inside, atmospheric!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 22:54:50 GMT -5
Who knows? Es posible... Balcells got married in the sailors' church, Santa Maria del Mar, an old, high-ceilinged gothic church -- very dark inside, atmospheric! You are on the ball with that sort of stuff, but I just hope Alex is going to come to Australia next month.
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 11, 2004 22:55:33 GMT -5
BTW, I was watching some old clips of Alex -- I hardly have any... but I saw matchpoint in Gstaad 2002 when he beat Gaston in the final! Your dream matchup. Also saw him beating Carlos in Hannover98 -- so satisfying! Too bad I can't get a copy of that entire match anywhere. Alex also beat :ass: in Indy in 98 where AA's shot hit him and he went down... the crowd truly appreciated his win -- a nice change! Ahh... the good ol' days!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 22:58:20 GMT -5
BTW, I was watching some old clips of Alex -- I hardly have any... but I saw matchpoint in Gstaad 2002 when he beat Gaston in the final! Your dream matchup. Also saw him beating Carlos in Hannover98 -- so satisfying! Too bad I can't get a copy of that entire match anywhere. Alex also beat in Indy in 98 where AA's shot hit him and he went down... the crowd truly appreciated his win -- a nice change! Ahh... the good ol' days! As for the TMC win in Hanover I will do some investigating while I am here as to how to come across it. I think I should be able to find somewhere, but it won't be from a lack of looking either. I saw some Alex stuff and I remember when he beat Agassi and he bothered him with his backhand. I definitely prefer his play on clay and as for Gaudio I saw them practice this year and Alex owned him then.
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 11, 2004 22:59:23 GMT -5
You are on the ball with that sort of stuff, but I just hope Alex is going to come to Australia next month. I hope so too... it will be tough for him to make it, even into the qualies, no?? He's 113 now... yikes! Don't forget to implore him to make a final appearance in Montreal... I'm counting on him -- tell him this chica loca [por Alex, that is] is dying to meet him!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 23:01:45 GMT -5
I hope so too... it will be tough for him to make it, even into the qualies, no?? He's 113 now... yikes! Don't forget to implore him to make a final appearance in Montreal... I'm counting on him -- tell him this chica loca [por Alex, that is] is dying to meet him! How is it that you missed so many chances to meet him? If he can somehow get back to some old form then maybe, but I am still not sure what he is going to do, but I know he makes too many unforced errors these days.
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 11, 2004 23:02:17 GMT -5
Before I sign off... I w also love to see his Final fr Indian Wells 2000 when he beat Enqvist! And people call Alex a "claycourt specialist"... -- what do THEY know about him? [and I'm talking about PMac]. Who did Alex beat when he won Roma?? Can't recall right now [esp when I never saw it... ]. Buenas noches!
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Post by RogiFan on Dec 11, 2004 23:04:41 GMT -5
How is it that you missed so many chances to meet him? If he can somehow get back to some old form then maybe, but I am still not sure what he is going to do, but I know he makes too many unforced errors these days. He never comes to Canada or rarely and when I went to Madrid, I saw him practise but it was imposible to meet him as he was mobbed by noisy Spanish kids -- couldn't get anywhere near him -- he was at the time THE MOST POPULAR SPANISH PLAYER... fyi. A real shame... probably missed my chance...
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 23:05:58 GMT -5
Before I sign off... I w also love to see his Final fr Indian Wells 2000 when he beat Enqvist! And people call Alex a "claycourt specialist"... -- what do THEY know about him? [and I'm talking about PMac]. Who did Alex beat when he won Roma?? Can't recall right now [esp when I never saw it... ]. Buenas noches! PMac is a gimp and Alex learnt to play very well on hardcourts and won indoors, and it's easy to judge when he didn't bother with Wimbledon. Alex beat Rios in the Roma final 7-5 7-5 6-3 and it was a good match and these two did have some good matches.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Dec 11, 2004 23:08:01 GMT -5
He never comes to Canada or rarely and when I went to Madrid, I saw him practise but it was imposible to meet him as he was mobbed by noisy Spanish kids -- couldn't get anywhere near him -- he was at the time THE MOST POPULAR SPANISH PLAYER... fyi. A real shame... probably missed my chance... I think he played a few times in Canada, though he id like his summer clay events like Gstaad and Kitzbhuel and that is understandable as well. Well the kids have very good taste and there is someone to look up to, so would you like me to get a photo with Alex and then send it to you.
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