Do not adjust your screens

Posted by Bess: Mixed Doubles is back! Yes, we took a very long hiatus at arguably a very inopportune time. But that was so last year. This year we are in it to win it!

And, having just finished Rafa's book (watch for a future post on that) we are now modeling our hunger-for-victory after that of a true champion. Look out, tennis blogging world!

Dave and I have big plans for Mixed Doubles in 2012, but before we truly kick things off, there are a few housekeeping items to take care of.

1. The big time: Way back in September we were honored to have CNN/SI writer Jon Wertheim link to one of our posts about the U.S. Open men's final. Being a bit of a Jon-o-phile, this was HUGE for me (and, I believe, for Dave as well), and it caused our page views to skyrocket. And one might have assumed it would have garnered us a few new readers.
   
   But instead of letting our elation fuel future posts, capitalizing on our fame (ha!) and fortune (ha ha!), we clammed up. In fact, we did not post again until... right now. It's hard to explain why. Fear of success, maybe? ;-)
   
   So, Jon (if you ever read our blog again), please don't take it personally. And thanks for the highlight of our blogging year.
   
   And to any of you who may have discovered our blog through Jon's column, and who may wander back here wondering if we will ever post again... welcome back! We look forward to sharing the 2012 tennis season with you.
   
   
2. The winner: If you think Sam Stosur and Novak Djokovic were the big winners of the 2011 U.S. Open, well, you only have part of the story. You've clearly all been on the edges of your seats wondering whether it was Dave or I who won our 2011 U.S. Open bracket challenge.
   
   Wonder no more: I took the coveted title, winning bragging rights and a lunch on Dave. Let me report that lunch was delicious; well worth the hours I poured into my bracket strategizing. Or maybe it was half an hour. Regardless, congratulations to... me!
   
   Note, though, that the Aussie Open is just around the corner. Can Dave pull out a win in Melbourne? Stay tuned.
   
   
3. The designer: Ever since we started this blog in mid-2011, we've been meaning to publicly thank our logo/masthead designer, the fabulous Trenton Burd. Trenton's design work helped give this blog some street cred before we ever even typed a word. Thanks, T-Burd.
   

And now, in an effort to keep these posts a bit shorter in 2012, I'll conclude. But be on the lookout soon for these upcoming posts:

• Our 2012 predictions

• Dave's post tying tennis to the Iowa caucuses (first in the nation kind of post, I'm assuming)
  
  
• A recap of my day at the ATP World Tour Finals in London last November (Rafa v. Roger! Fish v. Tsonga!)
  

• A review of Rafa's book

• A new recurring feature that we need *your* help with!

• And, of course, coverage of the Aussie Open
  

Happy New Year, tennis lovers. It's nice to be back.

The Open begins; all is right with the world

Posted by BESS: Dave said it first, and he said it well. Thank goodness the U.S. Open is here. It's the last major of the year, and there are some scores to be settled!

• Nadal needs to beat Djokovic (unlikely).


• Sharapova needs to win (pretty unlikely, but maybe).
  


• Dave needs to beat Bess in the bracket challenge (highly likely, despite my glorious Wimbledon win.)

It's the first day of the tournament, and I was ready for a humdinger of an opening celebration. But tonight's program included some lackluster comments made to tepid applause. Some kid named Greyson Chance (sp?) oversinging some songs, including the national anthem.

And... that was... about it.

I'm used to Aretha. Gospel choirs. Production value. Even the beautiful, ginormous U.S. flag unfurling across the court seemed less impressive than in the past. Bottom line, I was let down. It was just like last night's VMAs all over again. And no one really needed that.

Just as I was blogging this, Dave commented via FB that he's bored. And I quote, "I'm bored with the Open tonight. Couldn't stand that Harry Potter kid who sang (so poorly) the opening number. Chris Evert needs a longer skirt {amen!} and a more interesting personality. And Venus' outfit makes her look six months pregnant. The end."

This is why I like Dave.

And let me tell you, I had already concocted in my head the moment when Venus would win her first round match, then turn to the camera and caress her belly, a la Beyonce, announcing her pregnancy to all the world. It would totally explain that outfit. Not to mention the "virus" that kept her off court all summer.

I guess the night is still young!

Federer's up next. Can the GOAT rescue the evening?

No matter what, all is not lost. There are some things to discuss.

• Like how hell has frozen over and Dave and I have predicted the same two champions... Djokovic and Sharapova! Egads. That means every point we score in these earlier rounds is that much more important.

• Also, during boring evenings, like this one may continue to be, I can be comforted and entertained by my latest literary purchase... Oh yes. >>Rafa - the biography. I cannot wait to begin it.

• Finally, my friend Mark Movic sent me a link to this NYT Magazine photo special , featuring Andy Samburg re-enacting famous tennis moments. Be sure to check it out. And thanks to Mark for feeding the blog!

Special shout out to loyal reader Vernon Johnson for prompting Dave and I to start blogging again. Almost as if he enjoys this blog! We are honored. Even if we're making way too many assumptions there.

And now... I'm off to see if Federer can entertain me live, on-screen, or if I'll have to resort to Rafa, on paper. Either way... TENNIS IS BACK! Hurrah.