Slow Starter

Yesterday, I arrived at the office at just about the time Roger Federer went two sets down to Alejandro Falla. Because I hadn't checked scores yet, I was surprised to see a number of messages from radio stations on my answering machine, inquiring about my availability for an interview. While I pondered that, the phone rang and I picked it up. ABC radio. Wanted to know if I could go on on top of the 10 a.m. hour, to which I shrugged and said, "Sure."

"But if Federer loses, can you go live, immediately?"

"What?"

No sooner did the producer explain the situation than he changed his tack:  "In fact, because of our time constraints, can you do an interview now, based on the assumption that Federer is out? We'll just tape it, then cue it up when he loses."

"Well, as long as you don't expect me to describe match point. . ." I replied.

"No, no, just put it into perspective. You know, most shocking result in Wimbledon history - if it was - that kind of thing."

"Sure," I said. "But we're assuming a lot here."

Well, you all know Federer came back to win that match, 6-0 in the fifth. And suddenly the phone stopped ringing. One station even called me back to cancel the 2:15 p.m. interview they had booked. I felt jilted, and the ensuing radio silence in my office made me smile. So it goes. Wimbledon started with a bang this year, that's for sure. Then it grew quiet, but quick.

I had to finish up a John Isner profile for Tennis magazine yesterday as well, and by the time I was ready to post I found that I couldn't log on to Typepad. I twiddled my thumbs for a while and then went home. There's always tomorrow. I'd stay at home and watch Wimbledon in HD splendor, my dog's head in my lap, and get in the swing of Wimbledon things. But it was not to be. In early morning, they had some soccer game on (I hear there's some kind of soccer tournament running concomitant with Wimbledon); there was no Wimbledon to be had until later in the day - roughly the time that I'd be joining fellow Tennis editors Steve Tignor and David Rosenberg at the Essex House hotel, where we taped a special round-table discussion that will eventually air on the Madison Square Garden network.

So I'm feeling a little like Wimbledon hasn't even started for me yet, which is okay. I'll get plenty of the tournament next week, after I arrive in London on Sunday night. Meanwhile, I hope you're all enjoying the action I'm not seeing. I'm liking Tom Perrotta's Wimbledon Wire. I can't link to it at the moment because of our unresolved technical issues. But you can find it on the home page.

I want to catch the end of the Isner-Mahut match in the morning. Both of those boys can bring the heat, and were deadlocked at two-sets each when play was halted for the day. It's going to be a whale of a set, that's for sure. 

Anybody have any good suggestions for a live stream from Wimbledon, should the tennis be pre-empted early in the day?

-- Pete