Letters

Some fans put college football on a pedestal, but what is so great about watching the same five or six teams compete for the championship every year? In pro football every team has a shot (Why Not Us, Sept. 21). I agree that the Saints, who went 8--8 last year, have a legitimate shot at representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. Why not them?

Scot Aiello, Franklin, Tenn.

Arguing a Point

Serena Williams never loses because an opponent is better (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Game, Sept. 21). It is always because of an injury or illness or some other excuse. [Her behavior after being called for a foot fault, and the subsequent penalty on match point,] was an injustice to Kim Clijsters and diminished one of the alltime great women's tennis victories. I agree with writer S.L. Price that Serena's fine should have been more substantial than $10,500 and that she should be suspended. Her suspension should be long enough to exclude her from a major.

Bob Parker, Temecula, Calif.

All of the attention has been placed on Williams's behavior but none on the U.S. Open officials. Referees for the NFL, NHL and NBA have generally agreed that in the final moments, games should be won or lost by the players and not the officials.

J. Everett Prewitt, Cleveland

Juan Martín del Potro's victory over Roger Federer reminded me of another young upstart beating a legend at the U.S. Open: Marat Safin defeating Pete Sampras in the 2000 final. Like Del Potro, Safin possessed superior size and power, tremendous ground strokes and quickness. For Del Potro's sake, let's hope he has the focus Safin never found.

Peter Bowling Anderson

Willow Park, Texas