Thank you, TAT!

[oohsalmon]

Hello ol' TAT buddies!

I have been getting interviewed a lot around the release of my book about Naomi Osaka this week and I've been asked a couple times about how I got started writing about tennis, and I am always quick to say that it started on a message board. Really, TalkAboutTennis and the fun and community I found here during college is the whole reason I started writing about tennis and got obsessive about tennis.

And even then some, TAT even arranged my very first tournament credentials anywhere, back for Eastbourne and Washington in 2008 (looking back it's pretty amazing that a message board could pull off getting credentials).

So anyhow, wanted to say that I've been thinking about y'all and feeling grateful and I hope you're all well! Very cool to see so many familiar usernames here still actively a part of this community so many years later!



-Ben aka oohsalmon aka ZuzanaOndraskova4ever

[ponchi101]

Hey Oohsalmon.
First, glad to see you coming back. You were part of the OG from TAT1.0, and it is always nice to have some of the "oldies" joining back. I hope you will remain active (although I know that your engagements will keep you busy most of the time).
Second, thanks for the kind words. I am sure you are aware that the new TAT2.0 is not truly the same; unfortunately, Kirkus was unable to carry on with that original site, but we managed to carry on. I hope that Kirkus will drop by and see your post; it is truly his initial effort that led to the events you describe above.
And last, I congratulate you on your success, and wish you much more. I hope the Osaka book will be met with acclaim, and that your next projects will be fruitful as well.
Keep up the great work, and welcome back.

[meganfernandez]

Hello ol' TAT buddies!

I have been getting interviewed a lot around the release of my book about Naomi Osaka this week and I've been asked a couple times about how I got started writing about tennis, and I am always quick to say that it started on a message board. Really, TalkAboutTennis and the fun and community I found here during college is the whole reason I started writing about tennis and got obsessive about tennis.

And even then some, TAT even arranged my very first tournament credentials anywhere, back for Eastbourne and Washington in 2008 (looking back it's pretty amazing that a message board could pull off getting credentials).

So anyhow, wanted to say that I've been thinking about y'all and feeling grateful and I hope you're all well! Very cool to see so many familiar usernames here still actively a part of this community so many years later!



-Ben aka oohsalmon aka ZuzanaOndraskova4ever

i can't believe you remembered your TAT password. Proud of what you've accomplished, Ben. And you're right that it was amazing TAT got credentials for big tournaments. The book is a great read and a big journalistic lift. Very well done.

What happened to your medals??

Tell people to enter the Suicide Pool if you can! We need to build the numbers back up.

Don't be a stranger! Get your Day 1 picks in by 11 a.m. Sunday Australian time!

[Fastbackss]

We have a star in our midst and of course Megan is pushing for picks in on time for Survivor Pool...

Seriously though - thanks for stopping in.

I am not sure that I was "in" the community yet around the time you were regularly posting.

But it has provided me much of the enjoyment, especially when I encounter all the different levels of folks in the "community" that we have. It was from references on this site that I began following you on social media, and is one of my regular weekly stops.

Good luck with the book and have a pleasant tournament!

[ponchi101]

...


i can't believe you remembered your TAT password. Proud of what you've accomplished, Ben. And you're right that it was amazing TAT got credentials for big tournaments. The book is a great read and a big journalistic lift. Very well done.

What happened to your medals??

Tell people to enter the Suicide Pool if you can! We need to build the numbers back up.

Don't be a stranger! Get your Day 1 picks in by 11 a.m. Sunday Australian time!

Salmon's medals will be awarded as with everybody else, on a merit system. If he can recall his count, they will be uploaded. Just needs to tell us.

[oohsalmon]

...


i can't believe you remembered your TAT password. Proud of what you've accomplished, Ben. And you're right that it was amazing TAT got credentials for big tournaments. The book is a great read and a big journalistic lift. Very well done.

What happened to your medals??

Tell people to enter the Suicide Pool if you can! We need to build the numbers back up.

Don't be a stranger! Get your Day 1 picks in by 11 a.m. Sunday Australian time!

Salmon's medals will be awarded as with everybody else, on a merit system. If he can recall his count, they will be uploaded. Just needs to tell us.

Ha yes I remember that I won three French Open suicide pools! Clay court specialist. 2008 RG men and women and 2009 men (iirc I remember seething that Bondarenko took me out of a double repeat).

[meganfernandez]

...


i can't believe you remembered your TAT password. Proud of what you've accomplished, Ben. And you're right that it was amazing TAT got credentials for big tournaments. The book is a great read and a big journalistic lift. Very well done.

What happened to your medals??

Tell people to enter the Suicide Pool if you can! We need to build the numbers back up.

Don't be a stranger! Get your Day 1 picks in by 11 a.m. Sunday Australian time!

Salmon's medals will be awarded as with everybody else, on a merit system. If he can recall his count, they will be uploaded. Just needs to tell us.

Ha yes I remember that I won three French Open suicide pools! Clay court specialist. 2008 RG men and women and 2009 men (iirc I remember seething that Bondarenko took me out of a double repeat).

Ah, a classic TAT experience, getting Bondarenko'd. Right up there with double-cheeked. Nice job winning the 2009 men's RG since Rafa went out early. Managed to sidestep that landmine.

We have a star in our midst and of course Megan is pushing for picks in on time for Survivor Pool...

Stars, they are just like us — SP addicts.