FTL Special Announcement

This past season marked the fifth year of our little Fantasy Tennis League. Throughout it all, we've had some great times and made lots of new friends. However, I'm afraid that it's time for me to close this chapter of my life and move on to other exciting adventures. When we started down this road five years ago, I wanted to introduce a game that, above all else, promoted tennis fandom. And I'm proud to say that I think we've done that. But now it's time for me to retire and begin to savor these memories that we've worked so hard to create. I don't know when we will all cross paths again. But the next time Maestro serves on the pristine lawn of Centre Court, I'll be starry-eyed right next to you. When Serena breaks Margaret Court's record for most major titles, I'll be cheering right alongside you. Whenever an unseeded player advances to the quarterfinals of a European clay court tournament, I'll be letting out a Lone Wolf howl with you. And whenever the Humble Bull lines up his water bottles on the red dirt of Roland Garros, I'll be exchanging warm smiles with each and every one of you. Thank you all for taking this magical journey with me. I'll never forget it.

Sincerely,

Rob Clark

FedHeads Celebrate FTL Championship

Daniel and Oliver Menchik, co-owners of FedHeads, were kind enough to send us this brilliant photo collage. Included is their victory pose with the FTL Champion's Plaque (see top right). The images actually serve double duty for us here. They not only reveal the FedHeads' single-minded focus on the FTL Championship across different events this season, but they also serve as our year in review. They even capture a contemplative Novak Djokovic yearning for the FTL grand prize (see bottom right). I can't think of a better way to end our year than with this visual journey through 2018. Until next time, FTLers!

US Open Champion Eager for Some Sugarpova

Here's Greg Burge posing with yet another prize! Word on the street is that Greg is adding a wing to his house where he can store all his FTL hardware. In the meantime, Greg plans on enjoying a quiet off-season and adding some Sugarpova to his new gumball machine.

FINAL YEAR-END RESULTS FOR 2018

And now it's time to officially announce that the 2018 FTL Champion is Daniel Menchik!!! Congratulations, Daniel! Dan the Man was a beast the entire season from start to finish. And his hard work paid off. Not only is he the year-end #1, but his 930.9 points breaks the all-time record for most points scored in a single season!! There were few challengers this year, as Daniel put on an absolute clinic, methodically outclassing the rest of us. Let's all give Daniel an extended Standing O!

	Total	PB
Daniel Menchik	930.9	0.0
Greg Burge	892.3	38.6
Kevin Sanikidze	815.3	115.6
Danny Kapovic	775.0	155.9
Rob Clark	723.3	207.6
Cyrus Schleifer	671.8	259.1
Amy Kroska	553.3	377.6
Diego Busch	532.5	398.4
Andy Fullerton	530.0	400.9
Jeff Langlais	474.4	456.5
Chris Burge	469.6	461.3
Roberta Bell	466.2	464.7
Todd Peterson	438.2	492.7
Loretta Bass	369.8	561.1
Jeremy Freese	335.5	595.4

US Open FINAL RESULTS

It's now official! Greg Burge is the 2018 US Open Champion! Greg almost broke his own record for most points scored in a single tournament, but the chair umpire gave him a 3-point penalty for verbal abuse during the women's final yesterday. Nevertheless, it's a big day for Greg, who wins his FOURTH major title (no one else has more than two) and his SIXTH title overall (breaking a tie with Chris for most career titles in FTL history). It's also Greg's second major title in a row. What a great way to end the year. West Norman will be rocking tonight!

	ATP	WTA	Total
Greg Burge	78.0	158.4	236.4
Rob Clark	93.6	96.0	189.6
Daniel Menchik	84.8	102.4	187.2
Kevin Sanikidze	60.4	124.8	185.2
Cyrus Schleifer	0.0	171.2	171.2
Danny Kapovic	89.6	72.0	161.6
Roberta Bell	76.0	32.0	108.0
Todd Peterson	94.4	5.6	100.0
Andy Fullerton	81.2	2.8	84.0
Jeff Langlais	52.0	21.6	73.6
Chris Burge	41.2	11.2	52.4
Loretta Bass	32.8	5.6	38.4
Amy Kroska	32.8	5.6	38.4
Diego Busch	0.0	32.0	32.0
Jeremy Freese	0.0	0.0	0.0

US Open Finals Update

Last round we learned that Daniel is our new FTL Champion! Today we learned that Greg is our new US Open champ! Both celebrations are forthcoming. In the meantime, Greg will be trying to beat his own record for most points scored in a single tournament. If Serena wins tomorrow, he'll do it.

	ATP	WTA	Total
Greg Burge	62.0	158.4	220.4
Rob Clark	77.6	96.0	173.6
Kevin Sanikidze	48.4	124.8	173.2
Daniel Menchik	68.8	102.4	171.2
Cyrus Schleifer	0.0	163.2	163.2
Danny Kapovic	77.6	72.0	149.6
Roberta Bell	64.0	24.0	88.0
Todd Peterson	78.4	5.6	84.0
Andy Fullerton	69.2	2.8	72.0
Jeff Langlais	40.0	21.6	61.6
Chris Burge	37.2	11.2	48.4
Loretta Bass	32.8	5.6	38.4
Amy Kroska	32.8	5.6	38.4
Diego Busch	0.0	24.0	24.0
Jeremy Freese	0.0	0.0	0.0

US Open Semifinals Update

We're through to the semifinals, FTLers. And it looks like Daniel has clinched this year's FTL crown! But there's no celebration in East Lansing this evening. "There's still work to be done," Daniel says, as he applies new grip in the scorching heat and humidity. "I'm overjoyed to be this year's FTL Champion. But as long as I still have a shot at the gumball machine, the champagne stays on ice." Greg has built a nice lead, but Daniel still has a few outs, as they say. The action picks up again tomorrow with the women's semifinals.

	ATP	WTA	Total
Greg Burge	46.0	126.4	172.4
Daniel Menchik	52.8	86.4	139.2
Kevin Sanikidze	36.4	92.8	129.2
Cyrus Schleifer	0.0	123.2	123.2
Rob Clark	58.8	64.0	122.8
Danny Kapovic	54.4	48.0	102.4
Roberta Bell	52.0	16.0	68.0
Todd Peterson	62.4	5.6	68.0
Andy Fullerton	54.4	2.8	57.2
Jeff Langlais	28.0	21.6	49.6
Chris Burge	24.8	11.2	36.0
Loretta Bass	27.2	5.6	32.8
Amy Kroska	27.2	5.6	32.8
Diego Busch	0.0	16.0	16.0
Jeremy Freese	0.0	0.0	0.0

US Open Quarterfinals Update

We're through to the quarterfinals at our last event of the season, the US Open. And no surprise to see Greg and Daniel at the top, duking it out. All the chips are in the middle of the table. The gumball machine, the plaque, FTL fame and glory, and everything else you can possibly imagine are all on the line here. Greg is making one last push to catch up to Daniel and defend his crown. Can he do it?? For starters, he'll need Thiem to defeat Nadal tomorrow evening.

	ATP	WTA	Total
Greg Burge	30.0	63.2	93.2
Daniel Menchik	30.8	48.8	79.6
Rob Clark	36.0	32.0	68.0
Kevin Sanikidze	20.4	46.4	66.8
Cyrus Schleifer	0.0	61.6	61.6
Todd Peterson	46.4	5.6	52.0
Danny Kapovic	27.2	24.0	51.2
Roberta Bell	32.0	8.0	40.0
Jeff Langlais	14.0	21.6	35.6
Andy Fullerton	31.6	2.8	34.4
Chris Burge	12.4	11.2	23.6
Loretta Bass	13.6	5.6	19.2
Amy Kroska	13.6	5.6	19.2
Diego Busch	0.0	8.0	8.0
Jeremy Freese	0.0	0.0	0.0

Wimbledon Champion Finally Crowned

At long last, our 2018 Wimbledon champion, Greg Burge, receives his Tennis Trivet.

Nesting Doll Update

Undeterred by my negative experience with FIFA's corrupt online store, I decided to buy my own nesting doll for organizing the 2018 World Cup Challenge. So, earlier this summer, I traveled by car, plane, and boat, all the way to Ketchikan, Alaska, to track down one of these things. I won't bore you with all the details. But, my God, I went through a lot to get this thing.