NEWPORT, Rhode Island — They threw a “You are there!” birthday bash on the grounds of the Grand Old Lady of Bellevue Avenue the other day at the Hall of Fame. She, of course, being the Newport Casino, sturdy of timbers and rich in history, justifyingly proud of her role as the elder housemother of the global frolic called tennis. But…Wimbledon…what about…? Oh, yes, we all … [Read more...] about RE-ENACTMENT OF FIRST US CHAMPIONSHIP
AS ANDRE ENTERS TENNIS VALHALLA, HE COMMITS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS
NEWPORT, R.I. – From punk to paragon… I wrote those words about him some time ago, and Andre Agassi didn’t like it. “I’ve never been a punk or a paragon,” he countered. OK, maybe not a punk in his childish days – but certainly he’s plenty admirable now, and has been, in his inspirational role as educator and numerous other charitable projects. Oh, yes, he was one of … [Read more...] about AS ANDRE ENTERS TENNIS VALHALLA, HE COMMITS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS
NADAL/FEDERER LOCK ON WIMBLEDON BROKEN AS DJOKOVIC TAKES THE TITLE
LONDON – When Novak Djokovic – certainly the first citizen of Serbia now – was but a 12-year old, he was more concerned about the bombing of his hometown than what happened on its few scruffy tennis courts. “But I had this dream about a place called Wimbledon. And hoped. The [NATO] planes usually bombed at the same times, and we went to cellars then. But it was still … [Read more...] about NADAL/FEDERER LOCK ON WIMBLEDON BROKEN AS DJOKOVIC TAKES THE TITLE
WIMBLEDON WINNER, PETRA KVITOVA’S LEFT HANDED SHOTS OVERPOWER SHARPOVA
LONDON – Maria Sharopova, the Siberian Siren, has been giving the cold shoulder to those who would beat her during this 125th Wimbledon. For two weeks she was pitching shutouts, along with her warbling, shrieking, ungenerously refusing to give up even one set. Twelve sets played; 12 sets won. Maria had a 7-year itch, and was itching to cash in on it. Seven years ago, as a … [Read more...] about WIMBLEDON WINNER, PETRA KVITOVA’S LEFT HANDED SHOTS OVERPOWER SHARPOVA
DRAGON WINS, MURRAY FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR
LONDON – The centuries old tale of St George and the Dragon is a popular item in this town. After all, the heroic George is the patron saint of England, and dragons keep their distance. Anyway, yesterday seemed perfect for an updated re-run. The local tennis Cathedral called Wimbledon was jammed with 14,979 parishioners, and the anti-dragon element were out in loud, … [Read more...] about DRAGON WINS, MURRAY FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR