Tonight's match is better than Brady Manning

[kobeunderbite]

The two greatest ever battling again in the semis of a major... pro sports don't get any better, ever.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Do you think either guy uses performance-enhancing drugs?

Or is that just jealous chatter?

[kobeunderbite]

Seems highly unlikely, but you never know.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Seems highly unlikely, but you never know.

Why do you think it's unlikely?

I read where people are concerned with the lack of out-of-competition testing.

[Deez]

Who is playing tonight?

[Deez]

Disregard, I thought we were talking about big time sports, not tennis.

[Incognito]

Federer and Nadal

[kobeunderbite]

Seems highly unlikely, but you never know.

Why do you think it's unlikely?

I read where people are concerned with the lack of out-of-competition testing.

The testing happens throughout the entire year in and out of competition. It's completely random, players get no notice, and the top-50 players and those who have been out for an extended period of time are required to disclose where they are at all times.

So I can't say I really know what you're referring to.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Seems highly unlikely, but you never know.

Why do you think it's unlikely?

I read where people are concerned with the lack of out-of-competition testing.

The testing happens throughout the entire year in and out of competition. It's completely random, players get no notice, and the top-50 players and those who have been out for an extended period of time are required to disclose where they are at all times.

So I can't say I really know what you're referring to.

The article I read indicated that there were only 63 out-of-competition drug tests last year. And, that many of the leading players have been quoted, voicing their frustrations about drug testing.

Even Federer says it would be "naive" to think the sport is clean. Is he the naive one?

[kobeunderbite]

Why do you think it's unlikely?

I read where people are concerned with the lack of out-of-competition testing.

The testing happens throughout the entire year in and out of competition. It's completely random, players get no notice, and the top-50 players and those who have been out for an extended period of time are required to disclose where they are at all times.

So I can't say I really know what you're referring to.

The article I read indicated that there were only 63 out-of-competition drug tests last year. And, that many of the leading players have been quoted, voicing their frustrations about drug testing.

Even Federer says it would be "naive" to think the sport is clean. Is he the naive one?

I don't think I ever said the sport was clean. Was that the question? I thought the question was if Nadal and Federer were clean.

[AbeVigodaLive]

The testing happens throughout the entire year in and out of competition. It's completely random, players get no notice, and the top-50 players and those who have been out for an extended period of time are required to disclose where they are at all times.

So I can't say I really know what you're referring to.

The article I read indicated that there were only 63 out-of-competition drug tests last year. And, that many of the leading players have been quoted, voicing their frustrations about drug testing.

Even Federer says it would be "naive" to think the sport is clean. Is he the naive one?

I don't think I ever said the sport was clean. Was that the question? I thought the question was if Nadal and Federer were clean.

A lot of questions and accusations have been following Nadal for awhile now, right?

And considering that many top athletes seek every advantage to be elite, including taking performance enhancing drugs, I was just curious if you thought either top-flight guy might be tempted by their quest to be the best and possibly take any.

Just asking for your opinion. Thanks for answering.

[kobeunderbite]

I'm positive that both are tempted, but it seems very unlikely.

[kobeunderbite]

What time is the match on?

330 AM ET

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm positive that both are tempted, but it seems very unlikely.

Maybe you're right.

I guess I'm just a bit more skeptical with the rash of top players in other sports doing whatever it takes to achieve elite levels... especially if the risks of getting caught can be navigated...

I don't see why tennis players would be any different.

[elmerjfudd]

Should be its two individuals going up against each other in an individual sport. 49ers/Seahawks was better than the Broncos/Patriots.... but at the end of the day the game people are going to be more anticipated to see will be Brady/Manning.

[AlaskaHawks]

Timing sucks. I'd love to watch it.

[kobeunderbite]

I'm positive that both are tempted, but it seems very unlikely.

Maybe you're right.

I guess I'm just a bit more skeptical with the rash of top players in other sports doing whatever it takes to achieve elite levels... especially if the risks of getting caught can be navigated...

I don't see why tennis players would be any different.

Seems to me that there's only one major sport in which top players have been implicated.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm positive that both are tempted, but it seems very unlikely.

Maybe you're right.

I guess I'm just a bit more skeptical with the rash of top players in other sports doing whatever it takes to achieve elite levels... especially if the risks of getting caught can be navigated...

I don't see why tennis players would be any different.

Seems to me that there's only one major sport in which top players have been implicated.

Baseball.
And the occasional guys in football. And basketball's lax drug testing is beginning to stir attention. Many think it's just a matter of time. These sports, especially basketball, are just a few years behind baseball and still in the "look the other way" stage.

Again. Considering these guys train thousands of hours to be elite athletes... and to think they wouldn't take every opportunity to be the best... when they can get away with it? That seems a bit naive.

But maybe I'm just too damn cynical. I should always give athletes the benefit of the doubt.

Many group tennis in with track and field and/or cycling. Fair or not. And both of those sports have been rocked by drug scandals among the elite.

[kobeunderbite]

Right, baseball. But not top guys in any other major sports.

[AlaskaHawks]

KUB, any word on if that blister on Nadals hand will play any factor in the match? After his last one, I read it was giving him problems.

Also with Fed now playing the Serve and Volley under his new coach, do you see that giving Nadal any problems?