Oudin interview after Fed Cup regarding Williams'

[volleynets]

Melanie takes a small stab at the Williams sisters and tells it like it is. I guess there is not enough money involved for the Williams sisters to play for their own country.

“I wanted to come here. I wanted to play for my country. Other people choose different things,” U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin said after her 7-5, 6-2 loss to Flavia Pennetta gave Italy an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

“Some people I guess didn’t want to play as badly as I did. But I think that the team that we had here really wanted to be here,” Oudin said. “You don’t want people here that don’t want to be here. Even if you lose, if you give it everything you have, then that’s the best you can do.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[Rob_C]

Originally Posted by volleynets

Melanie takes a small stab at the Williams sisters and tells it like it is. I guess there is not enough money involved for the Williams sisters to play for their own country.

“I wanted to come here. I wanted to play for my country. Other people choose different things,” U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin said after her 7-5, 6-2 loss to Flavia Pennetta gave Italy an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

“Some people I guess didn’t want to play as badly as I did. But I think that the team that we had here really wanted to be here,” Oudin said. “You don’t want people here that don’t want to be here. Even if you lose, if you give it everything you have, then that’s the best you can do.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

She's getting a little ahead of herself. Both Venus and Serena played the YEC with their legs bandaged. Venus has been playing the last few months with that leg injury. I see no problem with them shutting it down for the rest of the year.

[jones101]

Serena has respresented her county in Fed Cup and olympic play many times so Mel should be a bit more respectful

Money is not the issues, Serena just played 5 matches in 6 days, aches and minor inuries, plus factor in jet lag, travel and switch of surface is a alot to take on board, I dont think she took the decision lightly.

Serena gets ripped on a lot but after beating 5 top 10 players in a row in the biggest non slam event of the year, not being 100% physically, should be respected.

Venus is a bit out of form and carrying an injury too.

Melaine should thank her lucky stars they dont play Fed cup regualrly, she would not be on the team otherwise.

[volleynets]

Originally Posted by Rob_C

She's getting a little ahead of herself. Both Venus and Serena played the YEC with their legs bandaged. Venus has been playing the last few months with that leg injury. I see no problem with them shutting it down for the rest of the year.

I agree that Melanie is ahead of herself. So far the only significant thing in her tennis career is the USO so she should not talk about players out of her league in a bitter way.

[volleynets]

Originally Posted by jones101

Serena has respresented her county in Fed Cup and olympic play many times so Mel should be a bit more respectful

Money is not the issues, Serena just played 5 matches in 6 days, aches and minor inuries, plus factor in jet lag, travel and switch of surface is a alot to take on board, I dont think she took the decision lightly.

Serena gets ripped on a lot but after beating 5 top 10 players in a row in the biggest non slam event of the year, not being 100% physically, should be respected.

Venus is a bit out of form and carrying an injury too.

Melaine should thank her lucky stars they dont play Fed cup regualrly, she would not be on the team otherwise.

Agreed to everything except the money. If the money was there than you can bet the Sisters would no matter what injuries.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by jones101

Serena has respresented her county in Fed Cup and olympic play many times so Mel should be a bit more respectful

Money is not the issues, Serena just played 5 matches in 6 days, aches and minor inuries, plus factor in jet lag, travel and switch of surface is a alot to take on board, I dont think she took the decision lightly.

Serena gets ripped on a lot but after beating 5 top 10 players in a row in the biggest non slam event of the year, not being 100% physically, should be respected.

Venus is a bit out of form and carrying an injury too.

Melaine should thank her lucky stars they dont play Fed cup regualrly, she would not be on the team otherwise.

Plus the sisters also played doubles at YEC...one more match on top of the others.

[dincuss]

I think Oudin is trying to suck up to america,
trying to look like the "good kid".

[imalil2gangsta4u]

Oudin means well, but shes out of place to say that.

[li0scc0]

Originally Posted by imalil2gangsta4u

Oudin means well, but shes out of place to say that.

I respectfully disagree. Oudin has had her share of injuries as well, yet clearly she is honored to be there.

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Originally Posted by jones101

Serena has respresented her county in Fed Cup and olympic play many times so Mel should be a bit more respectful

Money is not the issues, Serena just played 5 matches in 6 days, aches and minor inuries, plus factor in jet lag, travel and switch of surface is a alot to take on board, I dont think she took the decision lightly.

Serena gets ripped on a lot but after beating 5 top 10 players in a row in the biggest non slam event of the year, not being 100% physically, should be respected.

Agreed.

Melaine should thank her lucky stars they dont play Fed cup regualrly, she would not be on the team otherwise.

True. Moreover, her suggestive "patriot" talk flies out of the window considering the sisters' Fed cup and Olympics appearances. I was a supporter of her play during the USO, but this recent comment seems like she's the product of those with certain baseless issues with the WS--which a little readily available information would prevent said issues from being a foot in Oudin's mouth.

[Eviscerator]

Originally Posted by Rob_C

She's getting a little ahead of herself. Both Venus and Serena played the YEC with their legs bandaged. Venus has been playing the last few months with that leg injury. I see no problem with them shutting it down for the rest of the year.

Then you do not care that they put themselves(as usual) above that of their country?
I've never cared for the William sisters, and cannot stand their parents. However I've have given them a break because they have (on occasion) played for their country in Fed Cup and the Olympics. Sadly this is but another case where they put their own personal interests above all else.

[jamesblakefan#1]

Originally Posted by Eviscerator

Then you do not care that they put themselves(as usual) above that of their country?
I've never cared for the William sisters, and cannot stand their parents. However I've have given them a break because they have (on occasion) played for their country in Fed Cup and the Olympics. Sadly this is but another case where they put their own personal interests above all else.

Did you watch the YEC and see how wrapped up both the WS were? For them it seems like damned if you do, damned if you don't. Both actually played a more full schedule this year on the WTA tour, something people routinely say they don't do, yet people still find a way to criticize them for not playing Fed Cup.

If anything blame the Fed Cup system, for scheduling the finals straight after the end of the YEC. Unlike the Davis Cup final, which is always a week break between the YEC.

[Topaz]

^^^Venus was visibly limping in the final...I have a feeling her knee issues are not going to go away.

[cuddles26]

Melanie is just a stupid loser who had a fluke semi-good U.S Open barely beating grand slam flake Dementieva, a broken shouldered Sharapova, and a typically badly choking Petrova, before being schooled badly by pusher Wozniacki. Next year she will be back to losing 2nd or 3rd round of all the slams like she belongs. She should not delude herself to think she is now some power who is privileged to speak out against such greats as the Williams sisters.

[Steffi-forever]

Originally Posted by cuddles26

Serena Williams is the greatest female player in history. Yes even greater than Graf, Navratilova, and Evert. Deal with it losers.

Losers?

Chris Evert :
18 Grand Slam singles titles
7 Roland Garros
158 titles
34 Grand Slam finals
52 Grand Slam semifinals
125 consecutive wins on clay

Martina Navratilova
18 Grand Slam singles titles
9 Wimbledon
167 titles
Won 74 consecutive matches
19 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals
6 consecutive Grand Slam titles

Steffi Graf
22 Grand Slam singles titles
The most Hardcourt Slams
8 Year-end at #1 and most weeks at #1
13 consecutive Grand Slam finals
Won every Grand Slam title 4 times each
Golden Slam

Serena Williams
11 Grand Slam titles
4 Australian Open titles (Tie with Court, Goolagong, Graf and Seles)
Unseeded Grand Slam Winner (Australian Open 2007) (Tie with O'Neil)
Highest Career earning
Highest Single Year Earning
Highest streak of consecutive initial Grand Slam finals won (Doubles) (10)

So Serena is the Ultimate Greatest?
Are you being serious?

[The Pure One]

I see some players in Davis and Fed cup playing their best tennis, giving all they have, with pride and true patriotism. In fact, to some, playing for their country is a dream. No need for money.

To me the WS are for the money. They sure have played injured if there is huge amounts of money (YEC) on the table. Or do you really think they have played in the Fed Cup if it was celebrated around the time of the YEC? No they would not. I recognize that Venus was truly injured but Serenas could play. BTW, I think the WS have played here and there for the US, but consistency is not there.

But, sadly, they are not alone. Bjorn Borg was paid $200,000 to play for his country. In other sports is the same. Look at the baseball classic. How many big leaguer's stay at home and do not play for the USA because the risk of an injury and their mammoth contracts?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by volleynets

Melanie takes a small stab at the Williams sisters and tells it like it is. I guess there is not enough money involved for the Williams sisters to play for their own country.

“I wanted to come here. I wanted to play for my country. Other people choose different things,” U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin said after her 7-5, 6-2 loss to Flavia Pennetta gave Italy an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

“Some people I guess didn’t want to play as badly as I did. But I think that the team that we had here really wanted to be here,” Oudin said. “You don’t want people here that don’t want to be here. Even if you lose, if you give it everything you have, then that’s the best you can do.”

Source:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

Not only did Oudin lose here, she lost to oldie Jill Craybas and youngie Alexa Glatch since the USO. She should learn to win some matches before talking.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Eviscerator

Then you do not care that they put themselves(as usual) above that of their country?
I've never cared for the William sisters, and cannot stand their parents. However I've have given them a break because they have (on occasion) played for their country in Fed Cup and the Olympics. Sadly this is but another case where they put their own personal interests above all else.

Playing for country is an obsolete concept. They now get paid to play, not like it was before. Playing in important tournaments which make money and generate employment for their countrymen is as important if not more than playing Fed Cup in Italy. When the Williams play in a US tournament, it generates revenue and jobs. They should continue to do that instead of participating in an antiquated concept like Fed or Davis Cup, which have no meaning today when players play doubles or mixed doubles with partners from other countries. Federer too does not give a rat's *** about DC but of course doesn't say it openly. Coming together for a pseudo-patriotic feeling is not important. Leizel Huber and Vania King don't play doubles together when it matters - that is when they want to make money. So why the sham of playing together for the US?

The other issue is that Oudin, King, Huber and Glatch are several notches below the Wiliiams sisters. There is really no fun being on a team with inferior players. Heck, the guys at my club refuse to play league matches with partners they think are below them and feign injury or family obligations. And frankly captain Mary Jo was never in the top league of singles players and the Williams would not like to be "captained" by a nobody like her.

[LDVTennis]

Originally Posted by Steffi-forever

Losers?

Chris Evert :
18 Grand Slam singles titles
7 Roland Garros
158 titles
34 Grand Slam finals
52 Grand Slam semifinals
125 consecutive wins on clay

Martina Navratilova
18 Grand Slam singles titles
9 Wimbledon
167 titles
Won 74 consecutive matches
19 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals
6 consecutive Grand Slam titles

Steffi Graf
22 Grand Slam singles titles
The most Hardcourt Slams
8 Year-end at #1 and most weeks at #1
13 consecutive Grand Slam finals
Won every Grand Slam title 4 times each
Golden Slam

Serena Williams
11 Grand Slam titles
4 Australian Open titles (Tie with Court, Goolagong, Graf and Seles)
Unseeded Grand Slam Winner (Australian Open 2007) (Tie with O'Neil)
Highest Career earning
Highest Single Year Earning
Highest streak of consecutive initial Grand Slam finals won (Doubles) (10)

So Serena is the Ultimate Greatest?
Are you being serious?

I think he is serious. Scary that there are people that stupid!