LONDON – Why does Sister Serena remind me of the Statue of Liberty? Well, both of them are famous Americans, recognizeable heroines just about everywhere. They stand out in their occupations, symbols of the fact that anything is possible in the USA. Lady Liberty is a one-woman welcoming committee in New York. Sister Serena travels the world as the best female tennis … [Read more...] about SISTER SERENA SLAMS SHUT THE DOOR, TAKING HER FOURTH WIMBLEDON TITLE
Wimbledon
THE CURSE OF FRED PERRY IS NOW 75 YEARS AND COUNTING
LONDON – If you were somewhere near the Atlantic and heard a horrendous, sound-barrier-breaking noise yesterday about noon, don’t be alarmed. It was merely the last groan raised throughout Great Britain as the last of the Brits at Wimbledon hit the last shot and lasted no longer in the oldest lasting tournament. That was a Scottish lad named Andrew Baron Murray who … [Read more...] about THE CURSE OF FRED PERRY IS NOW 75 YEARS AND COUNTING
FEDERER STILL LOOKING FOR HIS GROOVE, 8 LOSSES SINCE THE AUSTRALIAN, UNUSUAL FOR HIM
LONDON – Decline and falling? Like the Roman Empire? Maybe. But one thing is clear. Roger Federer, the man who owned the green room – Centre Court at Wimbledon – will not be the centerpiece Sunday. After seven straight years of believing that this tennis court belonged to him, he was rudely evicted by a guy born in the Czech Republic village of Vallasske Mezerici and … [Read more...] about FEDERER STILL LOOKING FOR HIS GROOVE, 8 LOSSES SINCE THE AUSTRALIAN, UNUSUAL FOR HIM
BRUSSELS SPROUTS ADD SPICE TO WOMEN’S TOUR
LONDON – If they had been shooting at each other in a Western, one of the antagonists might have threatened, “This country ain’t big enough for both of us.” The country in question is tiny Belgium. Not much cactus, sagebrush or prairie there, but the firing was fierce as they tried to drive one another out of a Wimbledon canyon called Court 1. No canyons in Belgium … [Read more...] about BRUSSELS SPROUTS ADD SPICE TO WOMEN’S TOUR
REFLECTIONS ON RECORD BREAKING MARATHON MATCH
LONDON – Jimmy Van Alen would not be amused. Though Jimmy, who used to run the Newport tournament, is no longer with us, his baby is: the tie-breaker (not tiebreak as many incorrectly call it today). Alive and well in a fifth set at the US Open – but not at Wimbledon or the other two major championships, Australian and French. Thus, when John Isner (US) and Nicolas Mahut … [Read more...] about REFLECTIONS ON RECORD BREAKING MARATHON MATCH